Chapter VIII · Afternoon Tea and a Mystery

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

established by authority; given authoritative approval

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

British choreographer (1906-1988)

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Now she could hear her own name being called.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Now she could hear her own name being called.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

the act of encamping and living in tents in a camp

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Now she could hear her own name being called.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

plural of “deficiency” — the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

(Old Testament) a beautiful Jewess chosen by the king of Persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the Jews in Persia (an event celebrated by Jews as the feast of Purim)

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

a frame of iron bars to hold a fire

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Now she could hear her own name being called.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

a health facility where patients receive treatment

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

and nothing more

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

engage in

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

make reference to

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Now she could hear her own name being called.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Now she could hear her own name being called.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

by chance

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

separated in relationship by a given degree of descent

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

-ing form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Possibly Esther had invited some of their new acquaintances in to tea and had forgotten to mention it.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

hard to endure

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Straightening her hat and rubbing her face for an instant with her handkerchief, Betty made a casual entrance into the room, trying to assume an agreeable society manner to make up for her other deficiencies.

plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Ten days later, returning from another of her now regular visits to the hospital, Betty Ashton was surprised by hearing voices inside the living room just as she was passing the closed door.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Her hair had been blown in every direction by the east wind and she had been sitting on the floor at the hospital, building a camp fire in the old chimney place, with the grate removed, according to the most approved camping methods.