used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a turgid, sun-smitten Sunday afternoon at the Portals' house on the Berea.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
absent-mindedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was a turgid, sun-smitten Sunday afternoon at the Portals' house on the Berea.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It reminded him of an old dream that he was always trying to forget.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It reminded him of an old dream that he was always trying to forget.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
arguingnounUS /ˈɑːrɡjuːɪŋ/
a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was a turgid, sun-smitten Sunday afternoon at the Portals' house on the Berea.
Bechstein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
Berea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a turgid, sun-smitten Sunday afternoon at the Portals' house on the Berea.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
bird'snounUS /bɜːrdz/
possessive form of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
CarsonnounUS /ˈkɑːrsən/
United States biologist remembered for her opposition to the use of pesticides that were hazardous to wildlife (1907-1964)
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
chinknounUS /tʃɪŋk/
(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
desultoryadjectiveUS /ˈdesəltɔːri/
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
distractingverbUS /dɪˈstræktɪŋ/
-ing form of “distract” — draw someone's attention away from something
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading It reminded him of an old dream that he was always trying to forget.
Evelyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading It reminded him of an old dream that he was always trying to forget.
set up or found
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
a young female
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It reminded him of an old dream that he was always trying to forget.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It reminded him of an old dream that he was always trying to forget.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was a turgid, sun-smitten Sunday afternoon at the Portals' house on the Berea.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a turgid, sun-smitten Sunday afternoon at the Portals' house on the Berea.
keysnounUS /kiːz/
plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
MadagascarnounUS /ˌmædəˈɡæskər/
a republic on the island of Madagascar; achieved independence from France in 1960
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
melodiousadjectiveUS /məˈloʊdiəs/
having a musical sound; especially a pleasing tune
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It reminded him of an old dream that he was always trying to forget.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was a turgid, sun-smitten Sunday afternoon at the Portals' house on the Berea.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
peculiarlyadverbUS /pɪˈkjuːljərli/
uniquely or characteristically
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
PortalnounUS /ˈpɔːrtəl/
a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
PortalsnounUS /ˈpɔːrtəlz/
plural of “portal” — a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)
From this reading It was a turgid, sun-smitten Sunday afternoon at the Portals' house on the Berea.
past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading It reminded him of an old dream that he was always trying to forget.
ripplesnounUS /ˈrɪpəlz/
plural of “ripple” — a small wave on the surface of a liquid
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
strayingadjectiveUS /ˈstreɪɪŋ/
unable to find your way
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
sun-smitten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a turgid, sun-smitten Sunday afternoon at the Portals' house on the Berea.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading It was a turgid, sun-smitten Sunday afternoon at the Portals' house on the Berea.
tea-cups
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a turgid, sun-smitten Sunday afternoon at the Portals' house on the Berea.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It reminded him of an old dream that he was always trying to forget.
hard to endure
From this reading It reminded him of an old dream that he was always trying to forget.
turgidadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrdʒɪd/
ostentatiously lofty in style
From this reading It was a turgid, sun-smitten Sunday afternoon at the Portals' house on the Berea.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
unsprightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
verandahnoun
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a turgid, sun-smitten Sunday afternoon at the Portals' house on the Berea.
water-fowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Through the open French windows of the drawing-room came the chink of many tea-cups, and a desultory but not unsprightly murmur of conversation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Evelyn Carson, on the west side of the verandah, arguing with Bill Portal about water-fowl in Madagascar, found that laugh curiously distracting.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Some one's hand was straying absent-mindedly on the keys of the Bechstein, making little ripples, and sometimes a girl would laugh on two notes--a short, but peculiarly melodious sound like the beginning of a song in a bird's throat.
