used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
anew
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
alteredadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərd/
changed in form or character without becoming something else
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Diagnosis difficult," said Dr. Antonio pompously professional, yet clearly puzzled and disturbed.
Antonio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Diagnosis difficult," said Dr. Antonio pompously professional, yet clearly puzzled and disturbed.
from appearances alone
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
without doubt or question
From this reading "Diagnosis difficult," said Dr. Antonio pompously professional, yet clearly puzzled and disturbed.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
deliriousadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪriəs/
experiencing delirium
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
DiagnosisnounUS /ˌdaɪəɡˈnoʊsəs/
identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon
From this reading "Diagnosis difficult," said Dr. Antonio pompously professional, yet clearly puzzled and disturbed.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading "Diagnosis difficult," said Dr. Antonio pompously professional, yet clearly puzzled and disturbed.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
having the place or position changed
From this reading "Diagnosis difficult," said Dr. Antonio pompously professional, yet clearly puzzled and disturbed.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Diagnosis difficult," said Dr. Antonio pompously professional, yet clearly puzzled and disturbed.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
assemble or get together
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
come to pass
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
heednounUS /hiːd/
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
incoherentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnkoʊˈhɪrəntli/
in an incoherent manner
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
lamplightnoun
light from a lamp
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
not any; not one
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
pompouslyadverb
in a pompous manner
From this reading "Diagnosis difficult," said Dr. Antonio pompously professional, yet clearly puzzled and disturbed.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
From this reading "Diagnosis difficult," said Dr. Antonio pompously professional, yet clearly puzzled and disturbed.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading "Diagnosis difficult," said Dr. Antonio pompously professional, yet clearly puzzled and disturbed.
realiseverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪz/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
repeatingnounUS /rɪˈpiːtɪŋ/
the act of doing or performing again
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Diagnosis difficult," said Dr. Antonio pompously professional, yet clearly puzzled and disturbed.
only a very short time before
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
in the near future
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
StellanounUS /ˈstelə/
United States minimalist painter (born in 1936)
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
in a strange manner
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
hard to endure
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
twenty-fouradjectiveUS /ˈtwentifɔːr/
being four more than twenty
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading From across the hall came a monotonous sound, a loud, delirious voice repeating some sentence over and over again.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Mrs. Antonio was there as well as the doctor; apparently the good couple had not left the house for the past twenty-four hours.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
which person or people
From this reading On her arrival, soon after midnight, she had scarcely been able to realise that it was indeed Robert who lay on his bed, so strangely altered, talking incoherently, paying no heed to her presence.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Stella stood with him in the big drawing-room that looked dusty and neglected in the dim lamplight, trying to gather what had happened, what was likely to happen.
but in spite of that
From this reading "Diagnosis difficult," said Dr. Antonio pompously professional, yet clearly puzzled and disturbed.
