used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
quickly and without warning
From this reading Then he asked me abruptly how I had got on in America.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading Then he asked me abruptly how I had got on in America.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Grayle and I drove in silence for half of the way.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Then he asked me abruptly how I had got on in America.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
clusterverbUS /ˈklʌstər/
come together as in a cluster or flock
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
without stop or interruption
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
cross-leggedadverb
with the legs crossed
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading Grayle and I drove in silence for half of the way.
EasternounUS /ˈiːstər/
a Christian celebration of the Resurrection of Christ; celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
at any time
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Grayle and I drove in silence for half of the way.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
the act of departing
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Then he asked me abruptly how I had got on in America.
GovernorsnounUS /ˈɡʌvərnərz/
plural of “governor” — the head of a state government
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
Grayle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grayle and I drove in silence for half of the way.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then he asked me abruptly how I had got on in America.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Grayle and I drove in silence for half of the way.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then he asked me abruptly how I had got on in America.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he asked me abruptly how I had got on in America.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Grayle and I drove in silence for half of the way.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Grayle and I drove in silence for half of the way.
invadedverbUS /ˌɪnˈveɪdəd/
past form of “invade” — march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
linkedadjectiveUS /lɪŋkt/
connected by a link, as railway cars or trailer trucks
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
engage in
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
mantel-piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then he asked me abruptly how I had got on in America.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
Melton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
a brief written record
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
O'Rane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
O'Ranes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Grayle and I drove in silence for half of the way.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then he asked me abruptly how I had got on in America.
and nothing more
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
precariouslyadverbUS /prɪˈkeriəsli/
in a precarious manner
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/
from appearances alone
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Grayle and I drove in silence for half of the way.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
sprawlingnounUS /ˈsprɔːlɪŋ/
an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
tablesnounUS /ˈteɪbəlz/
plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
a word or expression used for some particular thing
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Grayle and I drove in silence for half of the way.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he asked me abruptly how I had got on in America.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
in the direction of
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
uninterruptedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪntərˈʌptɪd/
having undisturbed continuity
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Grayle and I drove in silence for half of the way.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The room was crowded with what I can only call a cluster of boys sprawling on chairs and tables or precariously perched with linked arms on the broad mantel-piece.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A note from O'Rane invited me to call before going back to London, and at the end of our business I invaded his rooms to find him seated, as ever, cross-legged on the floor with his head thrown back, lips parted and eyes seemingly fixed on the ceiling or on something beyond it.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading For some weeks I continued to attend to my own work uninterrupted by the O'Ranes, but towards the end of the Easter term I had to make my way to Melton for the Governors' meeting.
