1898
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
(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 the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
antsnounUS /ænts/
plural of “ant” — social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
batnounUS /bæt/
nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
Bramham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
circledverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəld/
past form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
dashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
eighty-fiveadjective
being five more than eighty
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
flingingverbUS /ˈflɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
moving swiftly
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
gaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
gnatsnounUS /næts/
plural of “gnat” — any of various small biting flies: midges; biting midges; black flies; sand flies
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
engage in
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
monotonouslyadverb
in a monotonous manner
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
MosquitoesnounUS /məˈskiːtoʊz/
plural of “mosquito” — two-winged insect whose female has a long proboscis to pierce the skin and suck the blood of humans and animals
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
pitilessadjectiveUS /ˈpɪtiləs/
without mercy or pity
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
proclaimedadjectiveUS /proʊˈkleɪmd/
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
sea-breeze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
sleevesnounUS /sliːvz/
plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
in the near future
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
temperaturenounUS /ˈtemprətʃər/
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Flying ants and gnats of every description were flinging themselves at the electric lights, and a bat circled monotonously round the ceiling.
thermometernounUS /θərˈmɑːmətər/
measuring instrument for measuring temperature
From this reading It had been a pitiless day--the sun a ball of brass, and the thermometer at eighty-five degrees--but the evening sea-breeze had reduced the temperature by five degrees.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
trebleadjectiveUS /ˈtrebəl/
having or denoting a high range
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
viciousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪʃəs/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
a Caucasian
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading All the doors and windows were open: his coat was off: his white silk shirt gaped at the neck and the sleeves were turned up.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mosquitoes in vicious clouds proclaimed with shrill, treble voices their intention to make a dash for his throat and hands as soon as they could find a way through the tobacco smoke.
the act of creating written works
From this reading On a January night in 1898, Charles Bramham was smoking and writing in the dining-room of Sea House.
