used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading Connie asked, when the rest of the family dismissed the matter with amused glances.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
eagerly desirous
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Connie asked, when the rest of the family dismissed the matter with amused glances.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SUBSTITUTION The twins came in at dinner-time wrapped in unwonted silence.
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/
plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading SUBSTITUTION The twins came in at dinner-time wrapped in unwonted silence.
CarolnounUS /ˈkærəl/
joyful religious song celebrating the birth of Christ
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
Connie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Connie asked, when the rest of the family dismissed the matter with amused glances.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
dinner-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUBSTITUTION The twins came in at dinner-time wrapped in unwonted silence.
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading Connie asked, when the rest of the family dismissed the matter with amused glances.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
a social unit living together
From this reading Connie asked, when the rest of the family dismissed the matter with amused glances.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
glancesnounUS /ˈɡlænsɪz/
plural of “glance” — a quick look
From this reading Connie asked, when the rest of the family dismissed the matter with amused glances.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
heroicadjectiveUS /hɪˈroʊɪk/
very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SUBSTITUTION The twins came in at dinner-time wrapped in unwonted silence.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
Lark's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Connie asked, when the rest of the family dismissed the matter with amused glances.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Connie asked, when the rest of the family dismissed the matter with amused glances.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading SUBSTITUTION The twins came in at dinner-time wrapped in unwonted silence.
SUBSTITUTIONnounUS /ˌsʌbstɪˈtuːʃən/
an event in which one thing is substituted for another
From this reading SUBSTITUTION The twins came in at dinner-time wrapped in unwonted silence.
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
causing surprise or wonder or amazement
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SUBSTITUTION The twins came in at dinner-time wrapped in unwonted silence.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
twinsnounUS /twɪnz/
(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other
From this reading SUBSTITUTION The twins came in at dinner-time wrapped in unwonted silence.
unwontedadjective
unaccustomed or unusual
From this reading SUBSTITUTION The twins came in at dinner-time wrapped in unwonted silence.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "What's up?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
What's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What's up?"
at the time that
From this reading Connie asked, when the rest of the family dismissed the matter with amused glances.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading They sat down to the table without a word, and helped themselves to fish balls with a surprising lack of interest.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Lark's face was darkened by an anxious shadow, while Carol wore an expression of heroic determination.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading SUBSTITUTION The twins came in at dinner-time wrapped in unwonted silence.
