AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CAPTAIN STRANGWISE ENTERTAINS A GUEST It was the slack hour at the Nineveh Hotel.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
affectverbUS /əˈfekt/
have an effect upon
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading CAPTAIN STRANGWISE ENTERTAINS A GUEST It was the slack hour at the Nineveh Hotel.
bachelornounUS /ˈbætʃələr/
a man who has never been married
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
calmverbUS /kɑːm/
make calm or still
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
CAPTAINnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading CAPTAIN STRANGWISE ENTERTAINS A GUEST It was the slack hour at the Nineveh Hotel.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
CourtnounUS /kɔːrt/
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading The pre-dinner hour is the uncomfortable hour of the modern hotel de luxe.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
dressverbUS /dres/
put on clothes
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
ENTERTAINSverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪnz/
third-person singular of “entertain” — provide entertainment for
From this reading CAPTAIN STRANGWISE ENTERTAINS A GUEST It was the slack hour at the Nineveh Hotel.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
firesidenounUS /ˈfaɪərsaɪd/
an area near a fireplace (usually paved and extending out into a room)
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
forerunnernounUS /ˈfɔːrʌnər/
a person who goes before or announces the coming of another
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
gentleadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentəl/
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
GUESTnounUS /ɡest/
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading CAPTAIN STRANGWISE ENTERTAINS A GUEST It was the slack hour at the Nineveh Hotel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
hotadjectiveUS /hɑːt/
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
HotelnounUS /hoʊˈtel/
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading CAPTAIN STRANGWISE ENTERTAINS A GUEST It was the slack hour at the Nineveh Hotel.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading CAPTAIN STRANGWISE ENTERTAINS A GUEST It was the slack hour at the Nineveh Hotel.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
hunchedadjectiveUS /hʌntʃt/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
instrumentsnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənts/
plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The pre-dinner hour is the uncomfortable hour of the modern hotel de luxe.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading CAPTAIN STRANGWISE ENTERTAINS A GUEST It was the slack hour at the Nineveh Hotel.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
longingnounUS /ˈlɔːŋɪŋ/
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
luxeadjective
elegant and sumptuous
From this reading The pre-dinner hour is the uncomfortable hour of the modern hotel de luxe.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
modernadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdərn/
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading The pre-dinner hour is the uncomfortable hour of the modern hotel de luxe.
NinevehnounUS /ˈnɪnəvə/
an ancient Assyrian city on the Tigris across from the modern city of Mosul in the northern part of what is now known as Iraq
From this reading CAPTAIN STRANGWISE ENTERTAINS A GUEST It was the slack hour at the Nineveh Hotel.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
orchestranounUS /ˈɔːrkəstrə/
a musical organization consisting of a group of instrumentalists including string players
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
palls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
PalmnounUS /pɑːm/
the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
platformnounUS /ˈplætfɔːrm/
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
pre-dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pre-dinner hour is the uncomfortable hour of the modern hotel de luxe.
restedadjectiveUS /ˈrestəd/
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
roomsnounUS /ruːmz/
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
seemverbUS /siːm/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
sitsverbUS /sɪts/
third-person singular of “sit” — be seated
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
slackadjectiveUS /slæk/
not tense or taut
From this reading CAPTAIN STRANGWISE ENTERTAINS A GUEST It was the slack hour at the Nineveh Hotel.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
stackedadjectiveUS /stækt/
arranged in a stack
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
standpointnounUS /ˈstændpɔɪnt/
a mental position from which things are viewed
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
stormverbUS /stɔːrm/
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
STRANGWISE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CAPTAIN STRANGWISE ENTERTAINS A GUEST It was the slack hour at the Nineveh Hotel.
strikesnounUS /straɪks/
plural of “strike” — a group's refusal to work in protest against low pay or bad work conditions
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
tea-tables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CAPTAIN STRANGWISE ENTERTAINS A GUEST It was the slack hour at the Nineveh Hotel.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
Tzigane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
uncomfortableadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
conducive to or feeling mental discomfort
From this reading The pre-dinner hour is the uncomfortable hour of the modern hotel de luxe.
uncomfortablyadverbUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in physical discomfort
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The last groups about the tea-tables in the Palm Court had broken up, the Tzigane orchestra had stacked its instruments together on its little platform and gone home, and a gentle calm rested over the great hotel as the forerunner of the coming dinner storm.
vestibulenounUS /ˈvestɪbjuːl/
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CAPTAIN STRANGWISE ENTERTAINS A GUEST It was the slack hour at the Nineveh Hotel.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
winternounUS /ˈwɪntər/
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading At least that is how it strikes one from the bachelor standpoint, and that is how it appeared to affect a man who was sitting hunched up in a big arm-chair in the vestibule of the Nineveh Hotel on this winter afternoon.
yawningadjectiveUS /ˈjɔːnɪŋ/
gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something
From this reading The rooms seem uncomfortably hot, the evening paper palls, it is too early to dress for dinner, so one sits yawning over the fire, longing for a fireside of one’s own.
