used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
alterverbUS /ˈɔːltər/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
anyone's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
bearableadjectiveUS /ˈberəbəl/
capable of being borne though unpleasant
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
circulatedverbUS /ˈsɜːrkjəleɪtɪd/
past form of “circulate” — become widely known and passed on
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The general opinion was that a tactful farewell and a speedy departure was the obvious procedure of the day.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading The wishes of the dead seemed more kindly in intention than in fact.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
the act of departing
From this reading The general opinion was that a tactful farewell and a speedy departure was the obvious procedure of the day.
discreetlyadverbUS /dɪˈskriːtli/
with discretion; prudently and with wise self-restraint
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
divisible by two
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The wishes of the dead seemed more kindly in intention than in fact.
an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading The general opinion was that a tactful farewell and a speedy departure was the obvious procedure of the day.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The general opinion was that a tactful farewell and a speedy departure was the obvious procedure of the day.
depressingly dark
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The wishes of the dead seemed more kindly in intention than in fact.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading The wishes of the dead seemed more kindly in intention than in fact.
immediately past
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The wishes of the dead seemed more kindly in intention than in fact.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
information about recent and important events
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
not any; not one
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading The general opinion was that a tactful farewell and a speedy departure was the obvious procedure of the day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading The general opinion was that a tactful farewell and a speedy departure was the obvious procedure of the day.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
procedurenounUS /prəˈsiːdʒər/
a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
From this reading The general opinion was that a tactful farewell and a speedy departure was the obvious procedure of the day.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The wishes of the dead seemed more kindly in intention than in fact.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
move hurridly
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
speedyadjectiveUS /ˈspiːdiː/
characterized by speed; moving with or capable of moving with high speed
From this reading The general opinion was that a tactful farewell and a speedy departure was the obvious procedure of the day.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
tactfuladjectiveUS /ˈtæktfəl/
having or showing a sense of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others
From this reading The general opinion was that a tactful farewell and a speedy departure was the obvious procedure of the day.
tendedverbUS /ˈtendɪd/
past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The wishes of the dead seemed more kindly in intention than in fact.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
uncomfortableadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
conducive to or feeling mental discomfort
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
WarfarenounUS /ˈwɔːrfer/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Open Warfare Breakfast that morning showed every promise of being a gloomy and uncomfortable meal.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The general opinion was that a tactful farewell and a speedy departure was the obvious procedure of the day.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading The story of the old man’s last wish had not tended greatly to alter anyone’s decision, as it was clear that no party was likely to be a success, or even bearable in such circumstances.
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading The wishes of the dead seemed more kindly in intention than in fact.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
WyattnounUS /ˈwaɪət/
English architect (1746-1813)
From this reading Wyatt had discreetly announced his uncle’s death, and the news had circulated amongst the guests with inevitable speed.
