used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Vyvian, in Peter's opinion, needed so much expurgation; and yet one couldn't be unkind.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Vyvian, in Peter's opinion, needed so much expurgation; and yet one couldn't be unkind.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading It was a difficult business, this.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading Vyvian often wrote such tosh; though he was clever, too.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vyvian, in Peter's opinion, needed so much expurgation; and yet one couldn't be unkind.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It was a difficult business, this.
dissertationnounUS /ˌdɪsərˈteɪʃən/
a treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
expurgationnoun
the deletion of objectionable parts from a literary work
From this reading Vyvian, in Peter's opinion, needed so much expurgation; and yet one couldn't be unkind.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
start firing a weapon
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
GemnounUS /dʒem/
art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Peter wished very much that Hilary would get rid of Vyvian.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Vyvian often wrote such tosh; though he was clever, too.
Hilary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter wished very much that Hilary would get rid of Vyvian.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a difficult business, this.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Vyvian, in Peter's opinion, needed so much expurgation; and yet one couldn't be unkind.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading Vyvian, in Peter's opinion, needed so much expurgation; and yet one couldn't be unkind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Vyvian often wrote such tosh; though he was clever, too.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Vyvian, in Peter's opinion, needed so much expurgation; and yet one couldn't be unkind.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading Vyvian, in Peter's opinion, needed so much expurgation; and yet one couldn't be unkind.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
Peter'snounUS /ˈpiːtərz/
possessive form of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Vyvian, in Peter's opinion, needed so much expurgation; and yet one couldn't be unkind.
revisingnounUS /rɪˈvaɪzɪŋ/
editing that involves writing something again
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
relieve from
From this reading Peter wished very much that Hilary would get rid of Vyvian.
self-appointedadjective
designated or chosen by yourself
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Vyvian, in Peter's opinion, needed so much expurgation; and yet one couldn't be unkind.
sub-editor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Vyvian often wrote such tosh; though he was clever, too.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Peter wished very much that Hilary would get rid of Vyvian.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was a difficult business, this.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Vyvian often wrote such tosh; though he was clever, too.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Vyvian often wrote such tosh; though he was clever, too.
toshnounUS /tɑːʃ/
pretentious or silly talk or writing
From this reading Vyvian often wrote such tosh; though he was clever, too.
unkindadjectiveUS /ənˈkaɪnd/
lacking kindness
From this reading Vyvian, in Peter's opinion, needed so much expurgation; and yet one couldn't be unkind.
precisely as stated
From this reading Peter wished very much that Hilary would get rid of Vyvian.
Vyvian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vyvian, in Peter's opinion, needed so much expurgation; and yet one couldn't be unkind.
Vyvian's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FAT IN THE FIRE Peter, self-appointed sub-editor to the Gem, was revising a dissertation of Vyvian's on lace.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Peter wished very much that Hilary would get rid of Vyvian.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Peter wished very much that Hilary would get rid of Vyvian.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading Vyvian often wrote such tosh; though he was clever, too.
but in spite of that
From this reading Vyvian, in Peter's opinion, needed so much expurgation; and yet one couldn't be unkind.
