used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading PETER MAKES A DIVERSION.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading Just for one thing Brenda was thankful--they were not outwardly so unpresentable as she had anticipated.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Just for one thing Brenda was thankful--they were not outwardly so unpresentable as she had anticipated.
AustraliannounUS /ɔːˈstreɪljən/
a native or inhabitant of Australia
From this reading The Australian cousins seemed downright stupid and uninteresting.
Becky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
brainsnounUS /breɪnz/
plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
Brenda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
cousinsnounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
cudgelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
DIVERSIONnounUS /daɪˈvɜːrʒən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading PETER MAKES A DIVERSION.
downrightadverbUS /ˈdaʊnraɪt/
thoroughgoing
From this reading The Australian cousins seemed downright stupid and uninteresting.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
the act of departing
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
and nothing more
From this reading Just for one thing Brenda was thankful--they were not outwardly so unpresentable as she had anticipated.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading PETER MAKES A DIVERSION.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Just for one thing Brenda was thankful--they were not outwardly so unpresentable as she had anticipated.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
outwardlyadverbUS /ˈaʊtwərdli/
with respect to the outside
From this reading Just for one thing Brenda was thankful--they were not outwardly so unpresentable as she had anticipated.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading PETER MAKES A DIVERSION.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
express in words
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
schoolroomnounUS /ˈskuːlruːm/
a room in a school where lessons take place
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The Australian cousins seemed downright stupid and uninteresting.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Just for one thing Brenda was thankful--they were not outwardly so unpresentable as she had anticipated.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity
From this reading The Australian cousins seemed downright stupid and uninteresting.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
thankfuladjectiveUS /ˈθæŋkfəl/
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading Just for one thing Brenda was thankful--they were not outwardly so unpresentable as she had anticipated.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
a special situation
From this reading Just for one thing Brenda was thankful--they were not outwardly so unpresentable as she had anticipated.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
topicsnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪks/
plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Herbert and Brenda cudgelled their brains for topics of conversation to keep things going, and they thought they had never had any one so difficult to talk to in their lives.
uninterestingadjectiveUS /əˈnɪntrəstɪŋ/
arousing no interest or attention or curiosity or excitement
From this reading The Australian cousins seemed downright stupid and uninteresting.
unpresentableadjective
creating an unfavorable or neutral first impression
From this reading Just for one thing Brenda was thankful--they were not outwardly so unpresentable as she had anticipated.
precisely as stated
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Just for one thing Brenda was thankful--they were not outwardly so unpresentable as she had anticipated.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Just for one thing Brenda was thankful--they were not outwardly so unpresentable as she had anticipated.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But for Peter and Becky schoolroom breakfast next morning would have been a very dismal and quiet affair, for the elder cousins had little to say to each other.
