used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
the state of being absent
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
anew
From this reading He awoke early in the morning and, after a vain attempt to get to sleep again, rose and dressed.
airyadjectiveUS /ˈeri/
open to or abounding in fresh air
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He awoke early in the morning and, after a vain attempt to get to sleep again, rose and dressed.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading He awoke early in the morning and, after a vain attempt to get to sleep again, rose and dressed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
the two together, not just one
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading Nobody else was stirring, and going quietly downstairs he took up a cap and went out.
charmsnounUS /tʃɑːrmz/
plural of “charm” — attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
commentnounUS /ˈkɑːment/
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
dinner-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
disquisitionnoun
an elaborate analytical or explanatory essay or discussion
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading Nobody else was stirring, and going quietly downstairs he took up a cap and went out.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading He awoke early in the morning and, after a vain attempt to get to sleep again, rose and dressed.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading He awoke early in the morning and, after a vain attempt to get to sleep again, rose and dressed.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nobody else was stirring, and going quietly downstairs he took up a cap and went out.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He awoke early in the morning and, after a vain attempt to get to sleep again, rose and dressed.
the act of departing
From this reading Nobody else was stirring, and going quietly downstairs he took up a cap and went out.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He awoke early in the morning and, after a vain attempt to get to sleep again, rose and dressed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
labours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
meritedadjectiveUS /ˈmerɪtɪd/
properly deserved
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He awoke early in the morning and, after a vain attempt to get to sleep again, rose and dressed.
a form of address for a man
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
not any; not one
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Nobody else was stirring, and going quietly downstairs he took up a cap and went out.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Nobody else was stirring, and going quietly downstairs he took up a cap and went out.
OWINGadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
poorlyadverbUS /ˈpuːrli/
(“ill” is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
by chance
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
with low volume
From this reading Nobody else was stirring, and going quietly downstairs he took up a cap and went out.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
retiringadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ/
not arrogant or presuming
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading He awoke early in the morning and, after a vain attempt to get to sleep again, rose and dressed.
sentimentaladjectiveUS /ˌsentəˈmentəl/
given to or marked by sentiment or sentimentality
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading He awoke early in the morning and, after a vain attempt to get to sleep again, rose and dressed.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
smokedadjectiveUS /smoʊkt/
(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading Nobody else was stirring, and going quietly downstairs he took up a cap and went out.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Nobody else was stirring, and going quietly downstairs he took up a cap and went out.
unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/
unusual or unfamiliar
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Nobody else was stirring, and going quietly downstairs he took up a cap and went out.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading He awoke early in the morning and, after a vain attempt to get to sleep again, rose and dressed.
Vyner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OWING possibly to the unaccustomed exercise, but probably to more sentimental reasons, Robert Vyner slept but poorly the night after his labours.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was evident that his absence had been the subject of some comment, but his father made no reference to it as they smoked a cigar together before retiring.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Nobody else was stirring, and going quietly downstairs he took up a cap and went out.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had explained his absence at the dinner-table by an airy reference to a long walk and a disquisition on the charms of the river by evening, an explanation which both Mr. Vyner and his wife had received with the silence it merited.
