used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
any thing at all
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
auditorsnounUS /ˈɑːdətərz/
plural of “auditor” — someone who listens attentively
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading It was, I fancied, originally made for a room with a somewhat higher ceiling.
chandeliernounUS /ʃændəˈlɪr/
branched lighting fixture; often ornate; hangs from the ceiling
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
comprehensionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhenʃən/
an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result)
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The chandelier to which I had pointed was an old-fashioned one, of the kind in general use in the early fifties.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading It was, I fancied, originally made for a room with a somewhat higher ceiling.
fiftiesnounUS /ˈfɪftiz/
the decade from 1950 to 1959
From this reading The chandelier to which I had pointed was an old-fashioned one, of the kind in general use in the early fifties.
finelyadverbUS /ˈfaɪnli/
in tiny pieces
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The chandelier to which I had pointed was an old-fashioned one, of the kind in general use in the early fifties.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The chandelier to which I had pointed was an old-fashioned one, of the kind in general use in the early fifties.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading It was, I fancied, originally made for a room with a somewhat higher ceiling.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was, I fancied, originally made for a room with a somewhat higher ceiling.
and nothing more
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The chandelier to which I had pointed was an old-fashioned one, of the kind in general use in the early fifties.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was, I fancied, originally made for a room with a somewhat higher ceiling.
engage in
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
McQuade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
no person; not anyone
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
nonplusedadjective
filled with bewilderment
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading The chandelier to which I had pointed was an old-fashioned one, of the kind in general use in the early fifties.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The chandelier to which I had pointed was an old-fashioned one, of the kind in general use in the early fifties.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
originallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/
in an original manner
From this reading It was, I fancied, originally made for a room with a somewhat higher ceiling.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
having a point
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
by chance
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading When I pointed to the chandelier, they all looked a bit nonplused, and nobody said anything for several moments.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
term of address for a man
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading It was, I fancied, originally made for a room with a somewhat higher ceiling.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
the act of using
From this reading The chandelier to which I had pointed was an old-fashioned one, of the kind in general use in the early fifties.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The chandelier to which I had pointed was an old-fashioned one, of the kind in general use in the early fifties.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
well-constructed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
at the time that
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE GREEN ROOM I do not know just what my auditors expected in the way of an explanation of the mystery when they followed me to the green room--possibly some well-constructed or finely drawn theory.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The chandelier to which I had pointed was an old-fashioned one, of the kind in general use in the early fifties.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then McQuade remarked, in his quiet voice, with a shade of comprehension in his tone and expression: "How do you make that out, Sir?"
