used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still.
arbornounUS /ˈɑːrbər/
tree (as opposed to shrub)
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
the act of breaking something
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
enviedverbUS /ˈenvid/
inflected form of “envy” — feel envious towards; admire enviously
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
Evelyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evelyn was sitting in the hotel garden with Reginald Gore.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still.
featheryadjectiveUS /ˈfeðəri/
resembling or suggesting a feather or feathers
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Evelyn was sitting in the hotel garden with Reginald Gore.
brought together in one place
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
GoreverbUS /ɡɔːr/
wound by piercing with a sharp or penetrating object or instrument
From this reading Evelyn was sitting in the hotel garden with Reginald Gore.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading Evelyn was sitting in the hotel garden with Reginald Gore.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
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 A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
on one occasion
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
palmsnounUS /pɑːmz/
plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
with low volume
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
Reginald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evelyn was sitting in the hotel garden with Reginald Gore.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
rollersnounUS /ˈroʊlərz/
plural of “roller” — a grounder that rolls along the infield
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
silhouetteverbUS /ˌsɪləˈwet/
project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Evelyn was sitting in the hotel garden with Reginald Gore.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
topsadjectiveUS /tɑːps/
of the highest quality
From this reading A full moon rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the royal palms cut in feathery silhouette.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
not known
From this reading THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still.
verandanounUS /vərˈændə/
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still.
in or at the place that
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Evelyn was sitting in the hotel garden with Reginald Gore.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one or two of the women knew where she was and envied her.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading This once would have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach.
