used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Commandant did not answer for a moment.
abstractionnounUS /æbˈstrækʃən/
a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
AFTERprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
react verbally
From this reading The Commandant did not answer for a moment.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To begin with, he had plunged yet deeper in debt to Mr. Tregaskis.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
CommandantnounUS /ˌkɑːmənˈdɑːnt/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
debtnounUS /det/
the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading To begin with, he had plunged yet deeper in debt to Mr. Tregaskis.
comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading To begin with, he had plunged yet deeper in debt to Mr. Tregaskis.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The Commandant did not answer for a moment.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
fitsnounUS /fɪts/
plural of “fit” — a display of bad temper
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Commandant did not answer for a moment.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
habitualadjectiveUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəl/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To begin with, he had plunged yet deeper in debt to Mr. Tregaskis.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
mealsnounUS /miːlz/
plural of “meal” — the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
a particular point in time
From this reading The Commandant did not answer for a moment.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
a form of address for a man
From this reading To begin with, he had plunged yet deeper in debt to Mr. Tregaskis.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Commandant did not answer for a moment.
a brief written record
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading To begin with, he had plunged yet deeper in debt to Mr. Tregaskis.
problemsnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
required or under orders
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
Tregaskis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin with, he had plunged yet deeper in debt to Mr. Tregaskis.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
Vashti
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
Vashti's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
precisely as stated
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading AFTER SERVICE "They are good children," said Vashti, as she and the Commandant sat at breakfast together next morning, which was Sunday.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was stirring his tea, in a brown study, nor did he note that Vashti's eyes were resting on him with an amused smile.
wrestlingnounUS /ˈreslɪŋ/
the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat
From this reading She supposed these fits of abstraction to be habitual with him, due to living and taking his meals alone; but in fact his thoughts were wrestling with two or three very urgent problems.
but in spite of that
From this reading To begin with, he had plunged yet deeper in debt to Mr. Tregaskis.
