used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had been too busy attending to accumulated work to take much notice, or to inquire about it.
accumulatedadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːmjəleɪtɪd/
periodically accumulated over time
From this reading He had been too busy attending to accumulated work to take much notice, or to inquire about it.
AfricanadjectiveUS /ˈæfrəkən/
of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
after-dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was listening to the usual after-dinner debate on current topics.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But now it was evening and after dinner, and he was comfortably seated in an arm-chair in the sitting-room of his boarding-house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But now it was evening and after dinner, and he was comfortably seated in an arm-chair in the sitting-room of his boarding-house.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now it was evening and after dinner, and he was comfortably seated in an arm-chair in the sitting-room of his boarding-house.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
attendingnounUS /əˈtendɪŋ/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading He had been too busy attending to accumulated work to take much notice, or to inquire about it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
boarding-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now it was evening and after dinner, and he was comfortably seated in an arm-chair in the sitting-room of his boarding-house.
bordersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading He had been too busy attending to accumulated work to take much notice, or to inquire about it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now it was evening and after dinner, and he was comfortably seated in an arm-chair in the sitting-room of his boarding-house.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading But now it was evening and after dinner, and he was comfortably seated in an arm-chair in the sitting-room of his boarding-house.
conferencenounUS /ˈkɑːnfərəns/
a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading He was listening to the usual after-dinner debate on current topics.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
debateverbUS /dəˈbeɪt/
argue with one another
From this reading He was listening to the usual after-dinner debate on current topics.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading But now it was evening and after dinner, and he was comfortably seated in an arm-chair in the sitting-room of his boarding-house.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading But now it was evening and after dinner, and he was comfortably seated in an arm-chair in the sitting-room of his boarding-house.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been too busy attending to accumulated work to take much notice, or to inquire about it.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
HERESYnounUS /ˈherəsi/
any opinions or doctrines at variance with the official or orthodox position
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But now it was evening and after dinner, and he was comfortably seated in an arm-chair in the sitting-room of his boarding-house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
inquireverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪr/
address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading He had been too busy attending to accumulated work to take much notice, or to inquire about it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had been too busy attending to accumulated work to take much notice, or to inquire about it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
immediately past
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading He was listening to the usual after-dinner debate on current topics.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He had been too busy attending to accumulated work to take much notice, or to inquire about it.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading He had been too busy attending to accumulated work to take much notice, or to inquire about it.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now it was evening and after dinner, and he was comfortably seated in an arm-chair in the sitting-room of his boarding-house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was listening to the usual after-dinner debate on current topics.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had been too busy attending to accumulated work to take much notice, or to inquire about it.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
PretorianounUS /priˈtɔːriə/
city in the Transvaal; the seat of the executive branch of the government of South Africa
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
RepublicnounUS /riˈpʌblək/
a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
rumoursnounUS /ˈruːmərz/
plural of “rumour” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading But now it was evening and after dinner, and he was comfortably seated in an arm-chair in the sitting-room of his boarding-house.
signingnounUS /ˈsaɪnɪŋ/
language expressed by visible hand gestures
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now it was evening and after dinner, and he was comfortably seated in an arm-chair in the sitting-room of his boarding-house.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
Steve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
SUICIDEnounUS /ˈsuːəsaɪd/
the act of killing yourself
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
carry out
From this reading He had been too busy attending to accumulated work to take much notice, or to inquire about it.
territoriesnounUS /ˈterətɔːriz/
plural of “territory” — a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
ThomsonnounUS /ˈtɑːmsən/
United States composer who collaborated with Gertrude Stein (1896-1989)
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He had been too busy attending to accumulated work to take much notice, or to inquire about it.
topicsnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪks/
plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading He was listening to the usual after-dinner debate on current topics.
TransvaalnounUS /trænzˈvɑːl/
a province of northeastern South Africa originally inhabited by Africans who spoke Bantu; colonized by the Boers
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading He was listening to the usual after-dinner debate on current topics.
warrantnounUS /ˈwɔːrənt/
a writ from a court commanding police to perform specified acts
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But now it was evening and after dinner, and he was comfortably seated in an arm-chair in the sitting-room of his boarding-house.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading POLITICAL SUICIDE--HERESY The day after their return, Steve heard faint rumours of a certain conference which had been held in Pretoria the last few days in reference to territories lying beyond the northern borders of the South African Republic.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He had been too busy attending to accumulated work to take much notice, or to inquire about it.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘What is that you are saying about the Transvaal signing its own death warrant, Thomson?’ he asked.
