Chapter VI · Dinner

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

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

(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 Mrs. Dan dallied with Bob, displaying all the artifices of an old campaigner.

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

From this reading Mrs. Dan dallied with Bob, displaying all the artifices of an old campaigner.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

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

From this reading Mrs. Dan dallied with Bob, displaying all the artifices of an old campaigner.

a tube through which a bullet travels when a gun is fired

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

possessive form of “bishop” — a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

move up and down repeatedly

From this reading Mrs. Dan dallied with Bob, displaying all the artifices of an old campaigner.

plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

a politician who is running for public office

From this reading Mrs. Dan dallied with Bob, displaying all the artifices of an old campaigner.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

inflected form of “dally” — behave carelessly or indifferently

From this reading Mrs. Dan dallied with Bob, displaying all the artifices of an old campaigner.

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

From this reading Mrs. Dan dallied with Bob, displaying all the artifices of an old campaigner.

-ing form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading Mrs. Dan dallied with Bob, displaying all the artifices of an old campaigner.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading It was a fine tableful of people, of which they were a part.

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

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

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

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

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

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

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

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

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

a message received and understood

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

imposing in size or bulk or solidity

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Dan dallied with Bob, displaying all the artifices of an old campaigner.

not any; not one

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mrs. Dan dallied with Bob, displaying all the artifices of an old campaigner.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Mrs. Dan dallied with Bob, displaying all the artifices of an old campaigner.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

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

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading It was a fine tableful of people, of which they were a part.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading It was a fine tableful of people, of which they were a part.

fill or close tightly with or as if with a plug

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

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

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

formality and propriety of manner

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

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

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

small or little relative to something else

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

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

From this reading It was a fine tableful of people, of which they were a part.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

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

From this reading Mrs. Dan dallied with Bob, displaying all the artifices of an old campaigner.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was a fine tableful of people, of which they were a part.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

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

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

An arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling, or a secure subterranean storage room.

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading Of course, she had no idea how easy it might be for her to learn all she wanted to.

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

From this reading She could not know he was like a barrel or puncheon of information and that all she had to do was to pull the plug and let information flow out.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It was a fine tableful of people, of which they were a part.

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

From this reading It was a fine tableful of people, of which they were a part.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mrs. Dan dallied with Bob, displaying all the artifices of an old campaigner.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading She regarded Bob more in the light of a safety vault; the bishop’s interruption had put him on his guard and she would have to get through those massive outer-doors of his reserve, before she could force the many smaller doors to various boxes full of startling facts.