used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
quickly and without warning
From this reading “We are dining alone, the four of us,” said Mrs. Callendar abruptly.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading “We are dining alone, the four of us,” said Mrs. Callendar abruptly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “We are dining alone, the four of us,” said Mrs. Callendar abruptly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
behestnounUS /bɪˈhest/
an authoritative command or request
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
Callendar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “We are dining alone, the four of us,” said Mrs. Callendar abruptly.
Callendar's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
Canaletto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the four panels of the walls there hung pictures of Venice in the dry, hard manner of Canaletto ...
centeringnounUS /ˈsentərɪŋ/
the concentration of attention or energy on something
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
columnsnounUS /ˈkɑːləmz/
plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
copiedverbUS /ˈkɑːpid/
inflected form of “copy” — copy down as is
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
diningnounUS /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/
the act of eating dinner
From this reading “We are dining alone, the four of us,” said Mrs. Callendar abruptly.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading On the four panels of the walls there hung pictures of Venice in the dry, hard manner of Canaletto ...
Duc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
EmpirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
for a limitless time
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading “We are dining alone, the four of us,” said Mrs. Callendar abruptly.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
giltadjectiveUS /ɡɪlt/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
grandioseadjectiveUS /ˌɡrændiˈoʊs/
impressive because of unnecessary largeness or grandeur; used to show disapproval
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading On the four panels of the walls there hung pictures of Venice in the dry, hard manner of Canaletto ...
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading On the four panels of the walls there hung pictures of Venice in the dry, hard manner of Canaletto ...
the lack of knowledge or education
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
mistressesnounUS /ˈmɪstrəsəz/
plural of “mistress” — an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
Morny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading “We are dining alone, the four of us,” said Mrs. Callendar abruptly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “We are dining alone, the four of us,” said Mrs. Callendar abruptly.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the four panels of the walls there hung pictures of Venice in the dry, hard manner of Canaletto ...
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
panelsnounUS /ˈpænəlz/
plural of “panel” — sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
From this reading On the four panels of the walls there hung pictures of Venice in the dry, hard manner of Canaletto ...
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading On the four panels of the walls there hung pictures of Venice in the dry, hard manner of Canaletto ...
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “We are dining alone, the four of us,” said Mrs. Callendar abruptly.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “We are dining alone, the four of us,” said Mrs. Callendar abruptly.
in or at that place or location
From this reading On the four panels of the walls there hung pictures of Venice in the dry, hard manner of Canaletto ...
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “We are dining alone, the four of us,” said Mrs. Callendar abruptly.
VenicenounUS /ˈvenəs/
the provincial capital of Veneto; built on 118 islands within a lagoon in the Gulf of Venice; has canals instead of streets; one of Italy's major ports and a famous tourist attraction
From this reading On the four panels of the walls there hung pictures of Venice in the dry, hard manner of Canaletto ...
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading On the four panels of the walls there hung pictures of Venice in the dry, hard manner of Canaletto ...
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “We are dining alone, the four of us,” said Mrs. Callendar abruptly.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was clear that she meant to keep Ellen forever in ignorance of what she had said.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
a Caucasian
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was grandiose, with columns of white and gilt, centering upon a massive table and a group of chairs with backs which ended a foot or two sooner than they should have ended.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading * * * * * The dining room was done in the grand manner of the Second Empire, a room copied at the behest of young Callendar’s grandfather from a house built by the Duc de Morny for one of his mistresses.
