used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
in the past
From this reading Lady Blount and Miss Lindon murmured irrelevancies concerning the curates of long ago and the present price of beef.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
beefnounUS /biːf/
cattle that are reared for their meat
From this reading Lady Blount and Miss Lindon murmured irrelevancies concerning the curates of long ago and the present price of beef.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
Blount
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Blount and Miss Lindon murmured irrelevancies concerning the curates of long ago and the present price of beef.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
ChannelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading Lady Blount and Miss Lindon murmured irrelevancies concerning the curates of long ago and the present price of beef.
copper-coloured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
curates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Blount and Miss Lindon murmured irrelevancies concerning the curates of long ago and the present price of beef.
curvesnounUS /kɜːrvz/
plural of “curve” — the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
Herold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
includedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdəd/
enclosed in the same envelope or package
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
intimatesnounUS /ˈɪntəməts/
plural of “intimate” — someone to whom private matters are confided
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
irrelevancies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Blount and Miss Lindon murmured irrelevancies concerning the curates of long ago and the present price of beef.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
Kilburn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
Lindon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Blount and Miss Lindon murmured irrelevancies concerning the curates of long ago and the present price of beef.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
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 Lady Blount and Miss Lindon murmured irrelevancies concerning the curates of long ago and the present price of beef.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
mathematiciansnounUS /ˌmæθəməˈtɪʃənz/
plural of “mathematician” — a person skilled in mathematics
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
mid-Augustnoun
the middle part of August
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Lady Blount and Miss Lindon murmured irrelevancies concerning the curates of long ago and the present price of beef.
past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly
From this reading Lady Blount and Miss Lindon murmured irrelevancies concerning the curates of long ago and the present price of beef.
naturesnounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/
plural of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
OlivernounUS /ˈɑːləvər/
United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
osculationnoun
(mathematics) a contact of two curves (or two surfaces) at which they have a common tangent
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
placidadjectiveUS /ˈplæsəd/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Lady Blount and Miss Lindon murmured irrelevancies concerning the curates of long ago and the present price of beef.
the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading Lady Blount and Miss Lindon murmured irrelevancies concerning the curates of long ago and the present price of beef.
Ransome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
get rid of
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
term of address for a man
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
spasmnounUS /ˈspæzəm/
a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
starlessadjective
not starry; having no stars or starlike objects
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
StellanounUS /ˈstelə/
United States minimalist painter (born in 1936)
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
SwitzerlandnounUS /ˈswɪtsərlənd/
a landlocked federal republic in central Europe
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
tannedadjectiveUS /tænd/
(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
having come into contact
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
uniqueadjectiveUS /juːˈniːk/
radically distinctive and without equal
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT was a sullen night in mid-August, following a breathless day and an angry sunset that had shed a copper-coloured glow above a bank of cloud.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
which person or people
From this reading Walter Herold, who had returned from Switzerland tanned and strong, told his adventures to Sir Oliver and Dr. Ransome, while John and Stella, a little way apart, listened idly.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The great windows of the drawing-room of the Channel House were flung open wide, and on the terrace beneath the starless heaven sat the little group of intimates, which now included the placid lady of the little Kilburn house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They had many points at which the curves of their natures touched, such as mathematicians, with unique spasm of romance, call points of osculation.
