used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DECISION The entire company was sitting or standing round the table in the dining-room.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
a quantity of money
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
battalionnounUS /bəˈtæljən/
an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies
From this reading At the other extremity was a battalion of glasses, some syphons and some lofty bottles.
biscuitnounUS /ˈbɪskət/
small round bread leavened with baking-powder or soda
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
bordernounUS /ˈbɔːrdər/
a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
bottlesnounUS /ˈbɑːtəlz/
plural of “bottle” — a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped
From this reading At the other extremity was a battalion of glasses, some syphons and some lofty bottles.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
brewedverbUS /bruːd/
past form of “brew” — prepare by brewing
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
cigarettenounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈet/
finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
claimingverbUS /ˈkleɪmɪŋ/
-ing form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/
a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading A DECISION The entire company was sitting or standing round the table in the dining-room.
coppernounUS /ˈkɑːpər/
a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading A DECISION The entire company was sitting or standing round the table in the dining-room.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading A DECISION The entire company was sitting or standing round the table in the dining-room.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
being one more than seven
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading A DECISION The entire company was sitting or standing round the table in the dining-room.
apart from; not including
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
extremitynounUS /ekˈstreməti/
an external body part that projects from the body
From this reading At the other extremity was a battalion of glasses, some syphons and some lofty bottles.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
Foa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
glassesnounUS /ˈɡlæsəz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading At the other extremity was a battalion of glasses, some syphons and some lofty bottles.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A DECISION The entire company was sitting or standing round the table in the dining-room.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading At the other extremity was a battalion of glasses, some syphons and some lofty bottles.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A DECISION The entire company was sitting or standing round the table in the dining-room.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading At the other extremity was a battalion of glasses, some syphons and some lofty bottles.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
by chance
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
receptaclenounUS /rɪˈsep.tə.kəl/
An object or container used to hold or store something.
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading A DECISION The entire company was sitting or standing round the table in the dining-room.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
except for; apart from
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
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 Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading A DECISION The entire company was sitting or standing round the table in the dining-room.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading At the other extremity was a battalion of glasses, some syphons and some lofty bottles.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
having a supporting base
From this reading A DECISION The entire company was sitting or standing round the table in the dining-room.
successfullyadverbUS /səkˈsesfəli/
with success; in a successful manner
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
syphons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the other extremity was a battalion of glasses, some syphons and some lofty bottles.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading A DECISION The entire company was sitting or standing round the table in the dining-room.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
teacups
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DECISION The entire company was sitting or standing round the table in the dining-room.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
thirty-eightadjective
being eight more than thirty
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A DECISION The entire company was sitting or standing round the table in the dining-room.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Not at the end, but about a third of the way down one side, Madame Foa brewed tea in a copper receptacle over a spirit lamp.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
a Caucasian
From this reading Except for a border of teacups and glasses the rest of the white expanse was empty, save that two silver biscuit boxes and a silver cigarette box wandered up and down it according to the needs of the community.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a table at which eight might have sat down to dinner with a fair amount of comfort; and perhaps thirty-eight now were successfully claiming an interest in it.
