Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

without stop or interruption

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

a secret listener to private conversations

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

in an encouraging manner

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

capable of being overlooked

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

an impudent statement

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

lacking discretion; injudicious

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading "An eavesdropper!" she repeated, looking puzzled.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

an announcement of the events that will occur as part of a theatrical or sporting event

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

filled with bewilderment

From this reading "An eavesdropper!" she repeated, looking puzzled.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

on the contrary

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

recurring again and again

From this reading "An eavesdropper!" she repeated, looking puzzled.

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

express in words

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading "I am quite sure it is not that," she replied, encouragingly.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

which person or people

From this reading "I am in the position of an eavesdropper," I continued, "who, having overheard a little of a matter not intended for him, though seeming to concern him, has the impudence to come to the speaker for the rest."

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

in the company of; together with

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."

an affirmative

From this reading "Yes," I said, "but an excusable one, as I think you will admit."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading That evening, as I sat with Edith in the music room, listening to some pieces in the programme of that day which had attracted my notice, I took advantage of an interval in the music to say, "I have a question to ask you which I fear is rather indiscreet."