used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
abatedverbUS /əˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “abate” — make less active or intense
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
alcoholicadjectiveUS /ˌælkəˈhɑːlɪk/
characteristic of or containing alcohol
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
allowancenounUS /əˈlaʊəns/
an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period)
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
give a benediction to
From this reading “God bless you both, my dearest girl,” he said, and drained his glass.
the two together, not just one
From this reading “God bless you both, my dearest girl,” he said, and drained his glass.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
a game played with playing cards
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
Challoner's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
champagnenounUS /ʃæmˈpeɪn/
a white sparkling wine either produced in Champagne or resembling that produced there
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
cheatedverbUS /ˈtʃiːtəd/
past form of “cheat” — deprive somebody of something by deceit
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
cheatingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃiːtɪŋ/
not faithful to a spouse or lover
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
Clara's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
claretnoun
a dark purplish-red color
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
coupledadjectiveUS /ˈkʌpəld/
joined together especially in a pair or pairs
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
From this reading “God bless you both, my dearest girl,” he said, and drained his glass.
dessertnounUS /dɪˈzɜːrt/
a dish served as the last course of a meal
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
drainedadjectiveUS /dreɪnd/
emptied or exhausted of (as by drawing off e.g. water or other liquid)
From this reading “God bless you both, my dearest girl,” he said, and drained his glass.
take in liquids
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
endorseverbUS /enˈdɔːrs/
be behind; approve of
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
felicitynounUS /fɪˈlɪsəti/
pleasing and appropriate manner or style (especially manner or style of expression)
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
fluidnounUS /ˈfluːəd/
a substance that is fluid at room temperature and pressure
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
a young female
From this reading “God bless you both, my dearest girl,” he said, and drained his glass.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading “God bless you both, my dearest girl,” he said, and drained his glass.
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading “God bless you both, my dearest girl,” he said, and drained his glass.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
half-bottle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “God bless you both, my dearest girl,” he said, and drained his glass.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
the state of being honored
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
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 Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
malignancynounUS /məˈlɪɡnənsi/
(medicine) a malignant state; progressive and resistant to treatment and tending to cause death
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “God bless you both, my dearest girl,” he said, and drained his glass.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
riddleverbUS /ˈrɪdəl/
pierce with many holes
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “God bless you both, my dearest girl,” he said, and drained his glass.
semblancenounUS /ˈsembləns/
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
not in physical motion
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
toastverbUS /toʊst/
make brown and crisp by heating
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
two times
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
unanswerableadjectiveUS /ˌʌˈnænsərəbəl/
impossible to answer
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
vicarnounUS /ˈvɪkər/
a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But to-night, in honour of the occasion, a half-bottle of champagne, to drink a toast in which two names were coupled, made its unusual appearance, and the vicar proposed the health in a voice which shook a little with feeling.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why she cared to play at all, if she cheated, had long been to Helen an unanswerable riddle, and was so still.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Three glasses of claret during dinner and one of port with his dessert was Mr. Challoner’s usual allowance of alcoholic fluid, and, as a rule, neither his sister nor Helen took any.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Afterwards, as if to endorse the felicity of the occasion, the malignancy of the cards was abated, and Aunt Clara’s Patience “came out” twice before prayers without a semblance of cheating on her part.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “God bless you both, my dearest girl,” he said, and drained his glass.
