used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
absent-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Then always a few pages of the diary kept by the late Herr Wilner were read as a bedtime story.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And bath and bed and dreamland followed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
bathnounUS /bæθ/
a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
From this reading And bath and bed and dreamland followed.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading And bath and bed and dreamland followed.
bedtimenounUS /ˈbedtaɪm/
the time you go to bed
From this reading Then always a few pages of the diary kept by the late Herr Wilner were read as a bedtime story.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then always a few pages of the diary kept by the late Herr Wilner were read as a bedtime story.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
ConradnounUS /ˈkɑːnræd/
English novelist (born in Poland) noted for sea stories and for his narrative technique (1857-1924)
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
diarynounUS /ˈdaɪəri/
a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations
From this reading Then always a few pages of the diary kept by the late Herr Wilner were read as a bedtime story.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
dreamlandnounUS /ˈdriːmlænd/
a pleasing country existing only in dreams or imagination
From this reading And bath and bed and dreamland followed.
dreamyadjectiveUS /ˈdriːmi/
dreamy in mood or nature
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
ensuedverbUS /ɪnˈsuːd/
past form of “ensue” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Then always a few pages of the diary kept by the late Herr Wilner were read as a bedtime story.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading And bath and bed and dreamland followed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading That was the invariable routine, now once more in full swing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
HerrnounUS /her/
a German man; used before the name as a title equivalent to Mr in English
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
includedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdəd/
enclosed in the same envelope or package
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
invalidnounUS /ˈɪnvələd/
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
invariableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbəl/
not liable to or capable of change
From this reading That was the invariable routine, now once more in full swing.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Then always a few pages of the diary kept by the late Herr Wilner were read as a bedtime story.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
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 THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading That was the invariable routine, now once more in full swing.
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
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 programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading That was the invariable routine, now once more in full swing.
something you have to do
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
on one occasion
From this reading That was the invariable routine, now once more in full swing.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading Then always a few pages of the diary kept by the late Herr Wilner were read as a bedtime story.
perennialadjectiveUS /pərˈeniəl/
lasting three seasons or more
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
piecemealadjectiveUS /ˈpiːsmiːl/
one thing at a time
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
participate in games or sport
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
programmenounUS /ˈproʊɡræm/
an announcement of the events that will occur as part of a theatrical or sporting event
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Then always a few pages of the diary kept by the late Herr Wilner were read as a bedtime story.
To recall to mind.
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
reticentadjectiveUS /ˈretɪsənt/
temperamentally disinclined to talk
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading That was the invariable routine, now once more in full swing.
rummageverbUS /ˈrʌmɪdʒ/
search haphazardly
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
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 Then always a few pages of the diary kept by the late Herr Wilner were read as a bedtime story.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
swingverbUS /swɪŋ/
move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading That was the invariable routine, now once more in full swing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That was the invariable routine, now once more in full swing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then always a few pages of the diary kept by the late Herr Wilner were read as a bedtime story.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
treasuresnounUS /ˈtreʒərz/
plural of “treasure” — accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
ultimatelyadverbUS /ˈʌltəmətli/
as the end result of a succession or process
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/
characterized by variety
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then always a few pages of the diary kept by the late Herr Wilner were read as a bedtime story.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The programme on such occasions varied little; the child was permitted to rummage among the treasures in the box until she had satisfied her perennial curiosity; conversation with her absent-minded father ensued, which ultimately included a personal narrative, dragged out piecemeal from the reticent, dreamy invalid.
Wilner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then always a few pages of the diary kept by the late Herr Wilner were read as a bedtime story.
Wilner's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
WONDER-BOX
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WONDER-BOX As long as she could remember she had been permitted to play with the contents of the late Herr Conrad Wilner's wonder-box.
