used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
(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 And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
amateurnounUS /ˈæmətɜːr/
someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
arrivalsnounUS /ərˈaɪvəlz/
plural of “arrival” — accomplishment of an objective
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
assistverbUS /əˈsɪst/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
candelabranounUS /ˌkændəˈlɑːbrə/
branched candlestick; ornamental; has several lights
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
Cecil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
unvarying in nature
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
crystallisedadjective
having become fixed and definite in form
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
diplomatistnoun
an official engaged in international negotiations
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
distancesnounUS /ˈdɪstənsəz/
plural of “distance” — the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
elaborateadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæbrət/
marked by complexity and richness of detail
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
Flo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
set up or found
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
fruitsnounUS /fruːts/
plural of “fruit” — the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
a person of German nationality
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
glimpsesnounUS /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/
plural of “glimpse” — a quick look
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
GREETverbUS /ɡriːt/
express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading "HOW SHOULD I GREET THEE?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
not accessible to view
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
hothousenounUS /ˈhɑːthaʊs/
a greenhouse in which plants are arranged in a pleasing manner
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "HOW SHOULD I GREET THEE?"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "HOW SHOULD I GREET THEE?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
interregnumnounUS /ˌɪntərˈreɡnəm/
the time between two reigns, governments, etc.
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
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 German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
O'Boyneville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
OverlandadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlænd/
traveling or passing over land
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
oxydised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
performersnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmərz/
plural of “performer” — an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
with speed
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "HOW SHOULD I GREET THEE?"
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
theatricals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading "HOW SHOULD I GREET THEE?"
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
precisely as stated
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
vistanounUS /ˈvɪstə/
the visual percept of a region
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were constant arrivals of people who came from short distances to assist at the private theatricals, and the room filled rapidly in this interregnum.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a little interval in the drawing-room after the long elaborate banquet, during which Flo and the rest of the amateur performers disappeared from the horizon.
which person or people
From this reading The German diplomatist took Cecil in to dinner, and she found herself seated a very long way from Major Gordon, who was quite hidden from her by a barrier of hothouse flowers, crystallised fruits, and oxydised silver candelabra.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And in all the time Major Gordon and Cecil O'Boyneville happened to be at different ends of the long room, almost as far apart as they had been with the Overland journey between them, Cecil thought, as she caught glimpses of the familiar figure now and then at the end of a long vista.
