used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
AbyssinianounUS /æbˈsɪniːə/
Ethiopia is a republic in northeastern Africa on the Red Sea; formerly called Abyssinia
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
blue-ribboned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
breezesnounUS /ˈbriːzɪz/
plural of “breeze” — a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
camelsnounUS /ˈkæməlz/
plural of “camel” — cud-chewing mammal used as a draft or saddle animal in desert regions
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
CeylonnounUS /sɪˈlɑːn/
an island in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of India
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The Edgartons did not start for Melbourne the following day!
decorativeadjectiveUS /ˈdekrətɪv/
serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
deprecatedverbUS /ˈdeprəkeɪtəd/
past form of “deprecate” — express strong disapproval of; deplore
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The Edgartons did not start for Melbourne the following day!
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
remove the dust from
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
Edgarton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
Edgartons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Edgartons did not start for Melbourne the following day!
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
divisible by two
From this reading Nor the next--nor the next--nor even the next.
at any time
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The Edgartons did not start for Melbourne the following day!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Edgartons did not start for Melbourne the following day!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
head-bandage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
humdrumadjectiveUS /ˈhʌmdrʌm/
not challenging; dull and lacking excitement
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
imprisonedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzənd/
being in captivity
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
indiscriminatelyadverbUS /ˌɪndɪˈskrɪmənətliː/
in a random manner
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
infinitelyadverbUS /ˈɪnfənətli/
without bounds
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
investigateverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪt/
investigate scientifically
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
justifyverbUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪ/
show to be right by providing justification or proof
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
KlondikenounUS /ˈklɑːndaɪk/
a region in northwestern Canada where gold was discovered in 1896 but exhausted by 1910
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
MelbournenounUS /ˈmelbərn/
a resort town in east central Florida
From this reading The Edgartons did not start for Melbourne the following day!
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
motor-cars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Nor the next--nor the next--nor even the next.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor the next--nor the next--nor even the next.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Edgartons did not start for Melbourne the following day!
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
ofteneradverbUS /ˈɔːfənər/
more often or more frequently
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
petticoatnounUS /ˈpetikoʊt/
undergarment worn under a skirt
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
Piccadilly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
pillowsnounUS /ˈpɪloʊz/
plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
prated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
pulsenounUS /pʌls/
(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
scientificadjectiveUS /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
of or relating to the practice of science
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
a particular situation
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
snow-tinted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The Edgartons did not start for Melbourne the following day!
summer-tourist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
temperaturenounUS /ˈtemprətʃər/
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In a head-bandage much more scientific than a blue-ribboned petticoat, but infinitely less decorative, little Eve Edgarton lay imprisoned among her hotel pillows.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Edgartons did not start for Melbourne the following day!
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
two times
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
vagarynounUS /ˈveɪɡəri/
an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.)
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Twice a day, and oftener if he could justify it, the village doctor came to investigate pulse and temperature.
which person or people
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Never before in all his humdrum winter experience, or occasional summer-tourist vagary, had he ever met any people who prated of camels instead of motor-cars, or deprecated the dust of Abyssinia on their Piccadilly shoes, or sighed indiscriminately for the snow-tinted breezes of the Klondike and Ceylon.
