adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
autocracynounUS /ɔːˈtɑːkrəsi/
a political system governed by a single individual
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
Beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
breakfast-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
ceasingverbUS /ˈsiːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
coffeenounUS /ˈkɑːfi/
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
COVERTnounUS /ˈkoʊvərt/
a flock of coots
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
cupsnounUS /kʌps/
plural of “cup” — a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
dressverbUS /dres/
put on clothes
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
drinkverbUS /drɪŋk/
take in liquids
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
EachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
eatverbUS /iːt/
take in solid food
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
eatingnounUS /ˈiːtɪŋ/
the act of consuming food
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
emittedverbUS /ɪˈmɪtəd/
inflected form of “emit” — expel (gases or odors)
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
footnounUS /fʊt/
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
gentleadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentəl/
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
half-opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
hintnounUS /hɪnt/
an indirect suggestion
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
informaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrməl/
not formal
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
lipsnounUS /lɪps/
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
methodicallyadverbUS /məˈθɑːdɪkəli/
in a methodical manner
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
Pendyce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
pilenounUS /paɪl/
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
prayersnounUS /prerz/
plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
repeatverbUS /rɪˈpiːt/
to say, state, or perform again
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
semi-genial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
sentencenounUS /ˈsentəns/
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
SHOOTverbUS /ʃuːt/
hit with a missile from a weapon
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
silvernounUS /ˈsɪlvər/
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
sitverbUS /sɪt/
be seated
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/
to a small degree or extent
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
sparingadjectiveUS /ˈsperɪŋ/
avoiding waste
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
spasmodicadjectiveUS /spæzˈmɔːdɪk/
affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
talkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
teanounUS /tiː/
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COVERT SHOOT At the head of the breakfast-table sat Mr. Pendyce, eating methodically.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
urnnounUS /ɜːrn/
a large vase that usually has a pedestal or feet
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
utterancesnounUS /ˈʌtərənsɪz/
plural of “utterance” — the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the foot of the breakfast-table sat Mrs. Pendyce behind a silver urn which emitted a gentle steam.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He was somewhat silent, as became a man who has just read family prayers; but about that silence, and the pile of half-opened letters on his right, was a hint of autocracy.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
workedverbUS /wɜːrkt/
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Her hands worked without ceasing amongst cups, and while they worked her lips worked too in spasmodic utterances that never had any reference to herself.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Be informal--do what you like, dress as you like, sit where you like, eat what you like, drink tea or coffee, but----” Each glance of his eyes, each sentence of his sparing, semi-genial talk, seemed to repeat that “but”.
