used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading They didn’t wildly amuse him, these people, nor he them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement
From this reading How long was he going to stay, and what for, anyway?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
bluntlyadverbUS /ˈblʌntli/
in a blunt direct manner
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
clucknounUS /klʌk/
the sound made by a hen (as in calling her chicks)
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
CypressnounUS /ˈsaɪprəs/
wood of any of various cypress trees especially of the genus Cupressus
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They didn’t wildly amuse him, these people, nor he them.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading How long was he going to stay, and what for, anyway?
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
Gabriel'snounUS /ˈɡeɪbriəlz/
possessive form of “gabriel” — (Bible) the archangel who was the messenger of God
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
the act of departing
From this reading How long was he going to stay, and what for, anyway?
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They didn’t wildly amuse him, these people, nor he them.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long was he going to stay, and what for, anyway?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
Ivor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
Julie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
the sound of laughing
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
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 No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
not any; not one
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
the middle of the day
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading They didn’t wildly amuse him, these people, nor he them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
on one occasion
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
To move from a closed position.
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading They didn’t wildly amuse him, these people, nor he them.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
on the contrary
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading How long was he going to stay, and what for, anyway?
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
Tarlyon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They didn’t wildly amuse him, these people, nor he them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading They didn’t wildly amuse him, these people, nor he them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They didn’t wildly amuse him, these people, nor he them.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
in the direction of
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
unkemptadjectiveUS /ənˈkempt/
not neatly combed
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
precisely as stated
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
villanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
Virginia'snounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjəz/
possessive form of “virginia” — a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On that fourth morning, towards noon, Ivor was taking the air on the rather unkempt lawn.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Ivor was taking a little thought about what exactly he was doing as Virginia’s guest; and as he had very carefully not thought about it before, he now tried to put it to himself as bluntly as he could.
a Caucasian
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading They didn’t wildly amuse him, these people, nor he them.
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 No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
but in spite of that
From this reading No one else seemed to be about that morning, no one had as yet come out of the long, low, white villa; though every now and then, as he passed near an open bedroom window, he heard voices: Julie Gabriel’s voice, Tarlyon’s laugh, and once the Cypress “cluck, cluck.”
