used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
(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 The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
any person at all
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
band-boxes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
bobbins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
don'snounUS /dɑːnz/
possessive form of “don” — a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And what a sight when he reached that drawing-room of his!
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
fursnounUS /fɜːrz/
plural of “fur” — the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
a man of refinement
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
hairdressernounUS /ˈherdresər/
someone who cuts or beautifies hair
From this reading He was still sitting staring about when a hairdresser passed quickly through the room.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
invasionnounUS /ˌɪnˈveɪʒən/
the act of invading; the act of an army that invades for conquest or plunder
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
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 To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
moderateverbUS /ˈmɑːdərət/
preside over
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
Pasquale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading He was still sitting staring about when a hairdresser passed quickly through the room.
approval to do something
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
pulsenounUS /pʌls/
(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
with speed
From this reading He was still sitting staring about when a hairdresser passed quickly through the room.
on the contrary
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading And what a sight when he reached that drawing-room of his!
precisely, exactly
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He was still sitting staring about when a hairdresser passed quickly through the room.
Identical; not different.
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
scarfsnounUS /skɑːrfs/
plural of “scarf” — a garment worn around the head or neck or shoulders for warmth or decoration
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
sedatelyadverbUS /sɪˈdeɪtli/
in a sedate manner
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
a particular situation
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading And what a sight when he reached that drawing-room of his!
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading He was still sitting staring about when a hairdresser passed quickly through the room.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading He was still sitting staring about when a hairdresser passed quickly through the room.
not in physical motion
From this reading He was still sitting staring about when a hairdresser passed quickly through the room.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading To the right, dresses; to the left, dresses; in front, band-boxes; behind, the same; lace, bobbins, furs, scarfs, shoes, gloves and--bills! a large number, all in a nice little heap in the centre of the table.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And what a sight when he reached that drawing-room of his!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He sat down in the middle of all this invasion, and stared about him as though he was anybody else in a strange place, rather than Don Pasquale.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He was still sitting staring about when a hairdresser passed quickly through the room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading And what a sight when he reached that drawing-room of his!
at the time that
From this reading And what a sight when he reached that drawing-room of his!
which person or people
From this reading The don’s pulse was moderate by a late hour the next day; and having obtained the permission of the doctor, who had sedately watched all night by the bed, to go down stairs, the poor gentleman crept down as though he had never danced in all his life.
