used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
(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 THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Then, suddenly lifting her head, she cast another keen look on Cornelis and Sybrandt: their eyes fell.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On this the storm that had long been brewing burst on their heads.
brought into existence
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
brewingnounUS /ˈbruːɪŋ/
the production of malt beverages (as beer or ale) from malt and hops by grinding and boiling them and fermenting the result with yeast
From this reading On this the storm that had long been brewing burst on their heads.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading On this the storm that had long been brewing burst on their heads.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
put or send forth
From this reading Then, suddenly lifting her head, she cast another keen look on Cornelis and Sybrandt: their eyes fell.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
CatherinenounUS /ˈkæθərən/
first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
cheatverbUS /tʃiːt/
deprive somebody of something by deceit
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
Cornelis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, suddenly lifting her head, she cast another keen look on Cornelis and Sybrandt: their eyes fell.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
at any time
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Then, suddenly lifting her head, she cast another keen look on Cornelis and Sybrandt: their eyes fell.
feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/
plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Then, suddenly lifting her head, she cast another keen look on Cornelis and Sybrandt: their eyes fell.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On this the storm that had long been brewing burst on their heads.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Then, suddenly lifting her head, she cast another keen look on Cornelis and Sybrandt: their eyes fell.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading On this the storm that had long been brewing burst on their heads.
hearersnounUS /ˈhiːrərz/
plural of “hearer” — someone who listens attentively
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
hennounUS /hen/
adult female chicken
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
hosier's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
invectivenounUS /ˌɪnˈvektɪv/
abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Then, suddenly lifting her head, she cast another keen look on Cornelis and Sybrandt: their eyes fell.
set down according to a plan
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
liftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading Then, suddenly lifting her head, she cast another keen look on Cornelis and Sybrandt: their eyes fell.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
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 On this the storm that had long been brewing burst on their heads.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Then, suddenly lifting her head, she cast another keen look on Cornelis and Sybrandt: their eyes fell.
malenounUS /meɪl/
an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
not any; not one
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
recurring again and again
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
RhonenounUS /roʊn/
a major French river; flows into the Mediterranean near Marseilles
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
rufflingverbUS /ˈrʌfəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “ruffle” — stir up (water) so as to form ripples
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
Saône
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading On this the storm that had long been brewing burst on their heads.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Then, suddenly lifting her head, she cast another keen look on Cornelis and Sybrandt: their eyes fell.
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
Sybrandt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, suddenly lifting her head, she cast another keen look on Cornelis and Sybrandt: their eyes fell.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, suddenly lifting her head, she cast another keen look on Cornelis and Sybrandt: their eyes fell.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On this the storm that had long been brewing burst on their heads.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
twaddlenounUS /ˈtwɑːdəl/
pretentious or silly talk or writing
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
at the time that
From this reading THE little party at the hosier's house sat at table discussing the recent event, when their mother returned, and, casting a piercing glance all round the little circle, laid the letter flat on the table.
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Catherine seemed to swell like an angry hen ruffling her feathers, and out of her mouth came a Rhone and Saône of wisdom and twaddle, of great and mean invective, such as no male that ever was born could utter in one current; and not many women.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
the words that are spoken
From this reading She repeated every word of it by memory, following the lines with her finger, to cheat herself and hearers into the notion that she could read the words or nearly.
