used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
(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 The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
confined by bonds
From this reading Everyone who was down was evidently bound for the meet.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
carvingnounUS /ˈkɑːrvɪŋ/
a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a desired shape
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
clatternounUS /ˈklætər/
a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
coatsnounUS /koʊts/
plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Everyone who was down was evidently bound for the meet.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
every person
From this reading Everyone who was down was evidently bound for the meet.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Everyone who was down was evidently bound for the meet.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Everyone who was down was evidently bound for the meet.
forksnounUS /fɔːrks/
plural of “fork” — cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
gallerynounUS /ˈɡæləri/
spectators at a golf or tennis match
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
gapnounUS /ɡæp/
a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
the act of departing
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
Hamilton'snounUS /ˈhæməltənz/
possessive form of “hamilton” — Irish mathematician (1806-1865)
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
hatsnounUS /hæts/
plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
humverbUS /hʌm/
sing with closed lips
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
knivesnounUS /naɪvz/
plural of “knife” — edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
come together
From this reading Everyone who was down was evidently bound for the meet.
the force of workers available
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
oakenadjective
consisting of or made of wood of the oak tree
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
piquantadjectiveUS /ˈpiːkənt/
having an agreeably pungent taste
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
Ravenor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
riding-habits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
sideboardnoun
a removable board fitted on the side of a wagon to increase its capacity
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
in the direction of
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
upturnedadjective
having been turned so that the bottom is no longer the bottom
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
veilsnounUS /veɪlz/
plural of “veil” — a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
precisely as stated
From this reading There was a great clatter of knives and forks, and a good deal of carving going on at the long, polished sideboard, and above it all, a loud hum of cheerful talk; altogether it was a very pleasant meal that was in progress.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I was making my way towards a gap in the table at the lower end when I heard my name called, and looked down into Miss Hamilton's piquant, upturned face.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
at the time that
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
in or at the place that
From this reading It was a few minutes past nine when I descended into the long, oaken gallery where breakfast was served, and at the head of the principal table sat Mr. Ravenor in hunting costume.
which person or people
From this reading Everyone who was down was evidently bound for the meet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The men were nearly all in scarlet coats, and the women in riding-habits and trim little hats, with their veils pushed back.
