used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
barrenadjectiveUS /ˈbærən/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
BernardnounUS /bərˈnɑːrd/
French physiologist noted for research on secretions of the alimentary canal and the glycogenic function of the liver (1813-1878)
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
boltnounUS /boʊlt/
a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
borrowedverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊd/
past form of “borrow” — get temporarily
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
a youthful male person
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading A childhood of squalid poverty had taught him the joy of a square meal.
ChuckverbUS /tʃʌk/
throw carelessly
From this reading "Chuck" O'Rourke was fond of his dinner.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
cliquenounUS /kliːk/
an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
coursesnounUS /ˈkɔːrsəz/
plural of “course” — education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
Demijohnnoun
large bottle with a short narrow neck; often has small handles at neck and is enclosed in wickerwork
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
District'snounUS /ˈdɪstrɪkts/
possessive form of “district” — a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
everydayadjectiveUS /ˈevriˈdeɪ/
found in the ordinary course of events
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
factornounUS /ˈfæktər/
anything that contributes causally to a result
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
famishedadjectiveUS /ˈfæmɪʃt/
extremely hungry
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading "Chuck" O'Rourke was fond of his dinner.
fortuitousadjectiveUS /fɔːrˈtuːɪtəs/
having no cause or apparent cause
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
GravesnounUS /ɡreɪvz/
English writer known for his interest in mythology and in the classics (1895-1985)
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A childhood of squalid poverty had taught him the joy of a square meal.
Hinchey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Chuck" O'Rourke was fond of his dinner.
hobnobbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
ice-water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
JaspernounUS /ˈdʒæspər/
an opaque form of quartz; red or yellow or brown or dark green in color; used for ornamentation or as a gemstone
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading A childhood of squalid poverty had taught him the joy of a square meal.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
linkingverbUS /ˈlɪŋkɪŋ/
-ing form of “link” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading A childhood of squalid poverty had taught him the joy of a square meal.
muddlenounUS /ˈmʌdəl/
a confused multitude of things
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
neighboringadjectiveUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
not any; not one
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
O'Rourke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Chuck" O'Rourke was fond of his dinner.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
From this reading A childhood of squalid poverty had taught him the joy of a square meal.
pudgyadjectiveUS /ˈpʌdʒi/
short and plump
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
an angry dispute
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
radishesnounUS /ˈrædɪʃɪz/
plural of “radish” — pungent fleshy edible root
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
red-facedadjective
(especially of the face) reddened or suffused with or as if with blood from emotion or exertion
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
restaurantnounUS /ˈrestərɑːnt/
a building where people go to eat
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
Shelby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
sordidadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːrdəd/
morally degraded
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
Sprague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
squalidadjectiveUS /ˈskwɑːləd/
morally degraded
From this reading A childhood of squalid poverty had taught him the joy of a square meal.
make square
From this reading A childhood of squalid poverty had taught him the joy of a square meal.
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 years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading A childhood of squalid poverty had taught him the joy of a square meal.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
a source of difficulty
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
unessentialadjective
not basic or fundamental
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Chuck" O'Rourke was fond of his dinner.
at the time that
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
in the company of; together with
From this reading About the hour when Bernard Graves hobnobbed with Jasper Hinchey, the third factor in the Demijohn District's political muddle sat down to dinner in a neighboring city.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had the fantastic bolt of the Sprague clique been left to its own courses, Shelby would have borrowed no further trouble, but a fortuitous matter of radishes and ice-water suddenly put the quarrel on an altogether different level.
a late time of life
From this reading The story of the years linking the famished boy to the pudgy red-faced man of the restaurant is unessential,--an everyday story, sordid, and barren of romance.
