adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
announceverbUS /əˈnaʊns/
make known; make an announcement
From this reading It was plain that only the sternest self-control enabled him to announce dinner, with anything like dignity.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading It was plain that only the sternest self-control enabled him to announce dinner, with anything like dignity.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She was still there when the funereal face of Pete appeared in the doorway.
arrivalnounUS /ərˈaɪvəl/
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
askverbUS /æsk/
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading No one thought to ask if she cared to go up to her room, and during the entire fifteen minutes Billy sat on the floor with Spunk in her lap.
auditorsnounUS /ˈɑːdətərz/
plural of “auditor” — someone who listens attentively
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
BILLYnounUS /ˈbɪli/
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
Billy'snounUS /ˈbɪliz/
possessive form of “billy” — a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
caredverbUS /kerd/
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading No one thought to ask if she cared to go up to her room, and during the entire fifteen minutes Billy sat on the floor with Spunk in her lap.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
dazedadjectiveUS /deɪzd/
in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
dignitynounUS /ˈdɪɡnəti/
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading It was plain that only the sternest self-control enabled him to announce dinner, with anything like dignity.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading It was plain that only the sternest self-control enabled him to announce dinner, with anything like dignity.
doorwaynounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪ/
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading She was still there when the funereal face of Pete appeared in the doorway.
droppedverbUS /drɑːpt/
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Pete's jaw dropped.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading No one thought to ask if she cared to go up to her room, and during the entire fifteen minutes Billy sat on the floor with Spunk in her lap.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading It was plain that only the sternest self-control enabled him to announce dinner, with anything like dignity.
entireadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtaɪər/
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading No one thought to ask if she cared to go up to her room, and during the entire fifteen minutes Billy sat on the floor with Spunk in her lap.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She was still there when the funereal face of Pete appeared in the doorway.
fifteennounUS /fɪfˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading No one thought to ask if she cared to go up to her room, and during the entire fifteen minutes Billy sat on the floor with Spunk in her lap.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
funerealadjective
suited to or suggestive of a grave or burial
From this reading She was still there when the funereal face of Pete appeared in the doorway.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading No one thought to ask if she cared to go up to her room, and during the entire fifteen minutes Billy sat on the floor with Spunk in her lap.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was plain that only the sternest self-control enabled him to announce dinner, with anything like dignity.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading No one thought to ask if she cared to go up to her room, and during the entire fifteen minutes Billy sat on the floor with Spunk in her lap.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
interspersedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈspɜːrst/
past form of “intersperse” — place at intervals in or among
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was plain that only the sternest self-control enabled him to announce dinner, with anything like dignity.
jawverbUS /dʒɔː/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading Pete's jaw dropped.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading No one thought to ask if she cared to go up to her room, and during the entire fifteen minutes Billy sat on the floor with Spunk in her lap.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was plain that only the sternest self-control enabled him to announce dinner, with anything like dignity.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
merryadjectiveUS /ˈmeri/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
monologuenounUS /ˈmɑːnəlɔːɡ/
speech you make to yourself
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No one thought to ask if she cared to go up to her room, and during the entire fifteen minutes Billy sat on the floor with Spunk in her lap.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading It was plain that only the sternest self-control enabled him to announce dinner, with anything like dignity.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
Pete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was still there when the funereal face of Pete appeared in the doorway.
Pete's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pete's jaw dropped.
plainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was plain that only the sternest self-control enabled him to announce dinner, with anything like dignity.
repliesnounUS /rɪˈplaɪz/
plural of “reply” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
ROOMnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading No one thought to ask if she cared to go up to her room, and during the entire fifteen minutes Billy sat on the floor with Spunk in her lap.
self-controlnounUS /ˌselfkənˈtroʊl/
the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses
From this reading It was plain that only the sternest self-control enabled him to announce dinner, with anything like dignity.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/
to a small degree or extent
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
SpunknounUS /spʌŋk/
material for starting a fire
From this reading No one thought to ask if she cared to go up to her room, and during the entire fifteen minutes Billy sat on the floor with Spunk in her lap.
sternestadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrnəst/
superlative of “stern” — of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading It was plain that only the sternest self-control enabled him to announce dinner, with anything like dignity.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading She was still there when the funereal face of Pete appeared in the doorway.
talkedverbUS /tɔːkt/
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was plain that only the sternest self-control enabled him to announce dinner, with anything like dignity.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading She was still there when the funereal face of Pete appeared in the doorway.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading No one thought to ask if she cared to go up to her room, and during the entire fifteen minutes Billy sat on the floor with Spunk in her lap.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading She was still there when the funereal face of Pete appeared in the doorway.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE ROOM--AND BILLY For the first fifteen minutes after Billy's arrival conversation was a fitful thing made up mostly of a merry monologue on the part of Billy herself, interspersed with somewhat dazed replies from one after another of her auditors as she talked to them in turn.
