used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
aimlesslyadverbUS /ˈeɪmləsli/
without aim; in an aimless manner
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
ambledverbUS /ˈæmbəld/
past form of “amble” — walk leisurely
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading It amused neither of us, but it rested us both.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
the two together, not just one
From this reading It amused neither of us, but it rested us both.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It amused neither of us, but it rested us both.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
desultoryadjectiveUS /ˈdesəltɔːri/
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading We seldom talked shop; since mine did not interest him, nor his me.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
let fall to the ground
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
set up or found
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
an established custom
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We seldom talked shop; since mine did not interest him, nor his me.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
Hypatianoun
Greek philosopher and astronomer; she invented the astrolabe (370-415)
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading We seldom talked shop; since mine did not interest him, nor his me.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
and nothing more
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading We seldom talked shop; since mine did not interest him, nor his me.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
MostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading It amused neither of us, but it rested us both.
neutraladjectiveUS /ˈnuːtrəl/
having no personal preference
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading We seldom talked shop; since mine did not interest him, nor his me.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We seldom talked shop; since mine did not interest him, nor his me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
on one occasion
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
overlookingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
pipesnounUS /paɪps/
plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
questnounUS /kwest/
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
Rediviva
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading It amused neither of us, but it rested us both.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
screenedverbUS /skriːnd/
past form of “screen” — test or examine for the presence of disease or infection
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
not often
From this reading We seldom talked shop; since mine did not interest him, nor his me.
have in common
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
do one's shopping
From this reading We seldom talked shop; since mine did not interest him, nor his me.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading We seldom talked shop; since mine did not interest him, nor his me.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading We seldom talked shop; since mine did not interest him, nor his me.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
topicnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪk/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
unsuccessfuladjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfəl/
not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It amused neither of us, but it rested us both.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We seldom talked shop; since mine did not interest him, nor his me.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
which person or people
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading Perhaps once a week it was his habit to drop in after dinner and share with me three or four pipes' worth of desultory conversation.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mostly we just ambled aimlessly round the outskirts of some chance neutral topic--who would win the big game, for example.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading One night, perhaps a month after Susan had come to me, I returned late from a hot day's trip to New York--one more unsuccessful quest after Hypatia Rediviva--and found Phil and Susan sitting together on the screened terrace at the back of my house, overlooking the garden.
