used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He went across to the couple on the sofa.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
eagerly desirous
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
from appearances alone
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/
a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading He went across to the couple on the sofa.
definingnounUS /dɪˈfaɪnɪŋ/
any process serving to define the shape of something
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
the act of departing
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
characterized by great determination
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
entertainingadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnɪŋ/
agreeably diverting
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
excusedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈkjuːzd/
granted exemption
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
explanationsnounUS /ˌekspləˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “explanation” — a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
set up or found
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
the act of departing
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
death of a person
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
GregorynounUS /ˈɡreɡəri/
(Roman Catholic Church) a church father known for his constant fight against perceived heresies; a saint and Doctor of the Church (329-391)
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
guardiannounUS /ˈɡɑːrdiən/
a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
interchangenounUS /ˌɪntərˈtʃeɪndʒ/
a junction of highways on different levels that permits traffic to move from one to another without crossing traffic streams
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
irkedverbUS /ɜːrkt/
past form of “irk” — irritate or vex
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
KarennounUS /ˈkerən/
the Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Thailand and Burmese borderlands
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
Karen'snounUS /ˈkerənz/
possessive form of “karen” — the Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Thailand and Burmese borderlands
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
go away from a place
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
Marwitz's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
not any; not one
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
and nothing more
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
photographsnounUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræfs/
plural of “photograph” — a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide or in digital format
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
cut with a saw
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
significancenounUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
the quality of being significant
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
simplicitynounUS /sɪmˈplɪsəti/
the quality of being simple or uncompounded
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
sofanounUS /ˈsoʊfə/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
moving very fast
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
in or at that place or location
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
von
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He went across to the couple on the sofa.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Karen's eyes, in looking at him, were grave and a little anxious; but the anxiety, he saw, was not on his account.
at the time that
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading When the time came for going to the drawing-room, Gregory found Betty entertaining the company there, while Karen, on a distant sofa, was apparently engaged in showing her guardian a book of photographs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He took in the situation at a glance, and, as he took it in, he was aware that part of its significance lay in the fact that it obliged him to a swift interchange with Betty, an interchange that irked him, defining as it did a community of understanding from which Karen, in her simplicity, was shut out.
but in spite of that
From this reading Only sudden illness could have excused Madame von Marwitz's departure from the dining-room, yet he determined to ask no questions, and to leave any explanations to her.
