used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
approvedadjectiveUS /əˈpruːvd/
established by authority; given authoritative approval
From this reading Caliban approved heartily of Mary’s reading.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
bookmarknounUS /ˈbʊkmɑːrk/
a marker (a piece of paper or ribbon) placed between the pages of a book to mark the reader's place
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
BUSTverbUS /bʌst/
ruin completely
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
Caliban
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
Corliss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
every person
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
a social unit living together
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading Caliban approved heartily of Mary’s reading.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
jokesnounUS /dʒoʊks/
plural of “joke” — a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
and nothing more
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
a room where books are kept
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
for more time
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
Mary'snounUS /ˈmeriz/
possessive form of “mary” — the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
of an obscure nature
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
Nan'snounUS /nænz/
possessive form of “nan” — your grandmother
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
not any; not one
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
with low volume
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
quotationsnounUS /kwoʊˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “quotation” — a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading Caliban approved heartily of Mary’s reading.
resembledverbUS /rɪˈzembəld/
past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
unexplainedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspleɪnd/
not explained
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
look attentively
From this reading And nothing further of a mysterious nature happened in Mary’s library, so that everybody had about forgotten the excitement of the watch, the bookmark, and the unexplained key.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the family had got used to being surprised by Aunt Nan’s jokes, so that they were no longer jokes at all.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The more Mary read her Shakespeare, the better she liked the plays, which, as she said, were “just full of familiar quotations!”
which person or people
From this reading THE BUST For some weeks life went on quietly for the Corliss family, made more interesting by the coming of Caliban, who resembled his late mistress in some unexpected qualities.
