used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading NOTES AND QUERIES.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
Busson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
Busson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
cautiousadjectiveUS /ˈkɔːʃəs/
showing careful forethought
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
contributeverbUS /kənˈtrɪbjuːt/
bestow a quality on
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
dishnounUS /dɪʃ/
a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
efficientadjectiveUS /ɪˈfɪʃənt/
being effective without wasting time or effort or expense
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
encouragingadjectiveUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒɪŋ/
giving courage or confidence or hope
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
eyeingverbUS /ˈaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “eye” — look at
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
flittingverbUS /ˈflɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
Gaston's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
brought together in one place
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
harmonynounUS /ˈhɑːrməni/
compatibility in opinion and action
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
hiding-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
intrudersnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdərz/
plural of “intruder” — someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
new-comers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading NOTES AND QUERIES.
nursery-maid-in-disguise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
an organization to gain political power
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
peepingverbUS /ˈpiːpɪŋ/
-ing form of “peep” — look furtively
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
presidingverbUS /prɪˈzaɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “preside” — act as president
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
QUERIESnounUS /ˈkwɪriz/
plural of “query” — an instance of questioning
From this reading NOTES AND QUERIES.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
not in physical motion
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
surveynounUS /sərˈveɪ/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
tea-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
troublingadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəlɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading Mrs. Busson was quite in her element, flitting round the table, and encouraging her guests to try one dish after the other.
precisely as stated
From this reading “They don’t look very cruel,” he thought, peeping through the crack of the parlour door and eyeing them anxiously as they sat round the tea-table, “still I’m glad that I shall have my tea by myself.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
well-spread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
at the time that
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It certainly was a very happy party that was gathered at Mrs. Busson’s well-spread board, at which the hostess was presiding, helped by the very efficient “nursery-maid-in-disguise.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Whether the new-comers would contribute to the harmony of _his_ life, was troubling Gaston’s mind, when he emerged from his hiding-place behind the clock, and made a cautious survey of the intruders.
