used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
(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 “ALL THIS IN THE SPACE OF ONE NIGHT.”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
terminate
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
challengingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃæləndʒɪŋ/
requiring full use of your abilities or resources
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
chatterverbUS /ˈtʃætər/
click repeatedly or uncontrollably
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
cushionnounUS /ˈkʊʃən/
a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
divannounUS /dɪˈvæn/
a long backless sofa (usually with pillows against a wall)
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
divisible by two
From this reading Even the fan-girls joined them.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
fan-girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the fan-girls joined them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “ALL THIS IN THE SPACE OF ONE NIGHT.”
indifferencenounUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfərəns/
unbiased impartial unconcern
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading Even the fan-girls joined them.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
low-voiced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
Maitraya
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
engage in
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
the force of workers available
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading “ALL THIS IN THE SPACE OF ONE NIGHT.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “ALL THIS IN THE SPACE OF ONE NIGHT.”
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
Ommony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “ALL THIS IN THE SPACE OF ONE NIGHT.”
ostentatiousadjectiveUS /ˌɑːstənˈteɪʃəs/
intended to attract notice and impress others
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
by chance
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
presumablyadverbUS /prəˈzuːməbli/
by reasonable assumption
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
sirensnounUS /ˈsaɪrənz/
plural of “siren” — a sea nymph (part woman and part bird) supposed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks where the nymphs lived
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading “ALL THIS IN THE SPACE OF ONE NIGHT.”
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
sprawledverbUS /sprɔːld/
past form of “sprawl” — sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “ALL THIS IN THE SPACE OF ONE NIGHT.”
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Even the fan-girls joined them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “ALL THIS IN THE SPACE OF ONE NIGHT.”
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
vacatedverbUS /veɪˈkeɪtɪd/
past form of “vacate” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
Vasantasena
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was quite clear there was a secret in the air; the ostentatious way in which the girls kept up a low-voiced chatter to show they were not listening was proof enough of that.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The girls took the seat in the window the men had vacated, and sprawled there like sirens on a rock.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Vasantasena lay on the wide divan with a cushion beneath her breast and her chin on both hands, considering Ommony for several minutes before she spoke, presumably curious to know why he had come with Maitraya; possibly she thought the silence and the stare would break him down and make him offer an explanation, but he met her eyes with challenging indifference.
