used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The night of the musicale Erard arrived at the Wilbur’s very late.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he continued to peep, he was surprised at the brilliancy of the dress.
ascertainverbUS /ˌæsərˈteɪn/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The night of the musicale Erard arrived at the Wilbur’s very late.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
brilliancynoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading As he continued to peep, he was surprised at the brilliancy of the dress.
broadlyadverbUS /ˈbrɔːdli/
without regard to specific details or exceptions
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
bunchesnounUS /ˈbʌntʃəz/
plural of “bunch” — a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
without stop or interruption
From this reading As he continued to peep, he was surprised at the brilliancy of the dress.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
put on clothes
From this reading As he continued to peep, he was surprised at the brilliancy of the dress.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
Erard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night of the musicale Erard arrived at the Wilbur’s very late.
fanningverbUS /ˈfænɪŋ/
inflected form of “fan” — strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
furtivelyadverbUS /ˈfɜːrtɪvli/
in a furtive manner
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
located inward
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
intricateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəkət/
having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
inventorynounUS /ˌɪnvənˈtɔːri/
a detailed list of all the items in stock
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The night of the musicale Erard arrived at the Wilbur’s very late.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
melodiousadjectiveUS /məˈloʊdiəs/
having a musical sound; especially a pleasing tune
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
musicale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night of the musicale Erard arrived at the Wilbur’s very late.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night of the musicale Erard arrived at the Wilbur’s very late.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The night of the musicale Erard arrived at the Wilbur’s very late.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
peepverbUS /piːp/
look furtively
From this reading As he continued to peep, he was surprised at the brilliancy of the dress.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
RussiannounUS /ˈrʌʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading As he continued to peep, he was surprised at the brilliancy of the dress.
symphonynounUS /ˈsɪmfəni/
a long and complex sonata for symphony orchestra
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The night of the musicale Erard arrived at the Wilbur’s very late.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
a source of difficulty
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
precisely as stated
From this reading The night of the musicale Erard arrived at the Wilbur’s very late.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As he continued to peep, he was surprised at the brilliancy of the dress.
at the time that
From this reading When he entered the hall, he could hear the music from an inner room,--a bit from a new Russian symphony, more intricate than melodious.
Wilbur's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night of the musicale Erard arrived at the Wilbur’s very late.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He had driven from his hotel, after a comfortable dinner and a cigar, without taking the trouble to ascertain the distance.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Through the doors opening broadly into the hall, he could see the people, the women seated in irregular bunches fanning themselves and furtively looking about, to inventory the guests and the rooms.
