used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading At dawn, hearing a knocking at the kitchen door, Mrs. Burton had admitted an old French peasant woman and her small grandson.
alliedadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪd/
related by common characteristics or ancestry
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
arrangementsnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənts/
plural of “arrangement” — the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At present they were having their breakfast of coffee and bread in a corner of the big kitchen, having preferred not to sit at the table.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading At present they were having their breakfast of coffee and bread in a corner of the big kitchen, having preferred not to sit at the table.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
BurtonnounUS /ˈbɜːrtən/
English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)
From this reading At dawn, hearing a knocking at the kitchen door, Mrs. Burton had admitted an old French peasant woman and her small grandson.
Burton'snounUS /ˈbɜːrtənz/
possessive form of “burton” — English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
châteaunounUS /ʃæˈtoʊ/
A large French country house or castle, often surrounded by expansive estates and private galleries.
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading At present they were having their breakfast of coffee and bread in a corner of the big kitchen, having preferred not to sit at the table.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading At present they were having their breakfast of coffee and bread in a corner of the big kitchen, having preferred not to sit at the table.
the first light of day
From this reading At dawn, hearing a knocking at the kitchen door, Mrs. Burton had admitted an old French peasant woman and her small grandson.
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading At dawn, hearing a knocking at the kitchen door, Mrs. Burton had admitted an old French peasant woman and her small grandson.
the act of consuming food
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
start firing a weapon
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
GermansnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmənz/
plural of “german” — a person of German nationality
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
grandsonnounUS /ˈɡrændsʌn/
a male grandchild
From this reading At dawn, hearing a knocking at the kitchen door, Mrs. Burton had admitted an old French peasant woman and her small grandson.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading At present they were having their breakfast of coffee and bread in a corner of the big kitchen, having preferred not to sit at the table.
(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 At dawn, hearing a knocking at the kitchen door, Mrs. Burton had admitted an old French peasant woman and her small grandson.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At dawn, hearing a knocking at the kitchen door, Mrs. Burton had admitted an old French peasant woman and her small grandson.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading At dawn, hearing a knocking at the kitchen door, Mrs. Burton had admitted an old French peasant woman and her small grandson.
lastedverbUS /ˈlæstəd/
past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
engage in
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
nearbyadjectiveUS /ˈnɪrˈbaɪ/
close at hand
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
not any; not one
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
on one occasion
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
peasantnounUS /ˈpezənt/
a country person
From this reading At dawn, hearing a knocking at the kitchen door, Mrs. Burton had admitted an old French peasant woman and her small grandson.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading At present they were having their breakfast of coffee and bread in a corner of the big kitchen, having preferred not to sit at the table.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading At present they were having their breakfast of coffee and bread in a corner of the big kitchen, having preferred not to sit at the table.
with low volume
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
repulsingverbUS /riˈpʌlsɪŋ/
-ing form of “repulse” — force or drive back
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
be seated
From this reading At present they were having their breakfast of coffee and bread in a corner of the big kitchen, having preferred not to sit at the table.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At dawn, hearing a knocking at the kitchen door, Mrs. Burton had admitted an old French peasant woman and her small grandson.
in the near future
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At present they were having their breakfast of coffee and bread in a corner of the big kitchen, having preferred not to sit at the table.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At present they were having their breakfast of coffee and bread in a corner of the big kitchen, having preferred not to sit at the table.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
soldiers collectively
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the old kitchen of the French château the Camp Fire girls were seated about an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurred to disturb them in the night.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
wiseradjectiveUS /ˈwaɪzər/
comparative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading At dawn, hearing a knocking at the kitchen door, Mrs. Burton had admitted an old French peasant woman and her small grandson.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make your arrangements to start on toward Paris at once.”
Yvonne's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton’s and Yvonne’s conversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source it had come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, or the allied troops repulsing one.
