used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
advisabilitynounUS /ˌædvaɪzəˈbɪlɪti/
the quality of being advisable
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
eagerly desirous
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I don't know whether we can manage that just now," he said.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
CURRENTSnounUS /ˈkɜːrənts/
plural of “current” — a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
dissatisfactionnounUS /ˌdɪsætɪˈsfækʃən/
the feeling of being displeased and discontent
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
dissatisfiedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsætəsfaɪd/
in a state of sulky dissatisfaction
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know whether we can manage that just now," he said.
doubtingadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtɪŋ/
marked by or given to doubt
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
excitantnoun
a drug that temporarily quickens some vital process
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
expensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspensɪv/
high in price or charging high prices
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
extrasnounUS /ˈekstrəz/
plural of “extra” — a minor actor in crowd scenes
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
flaringadjectiveUS /ˈflerɪŋ/
streaming or flapping or spreading wide as if in a current of air
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't know whether we can manage that just now," he said.
improvementnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənt/
a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
and nothing more
From this reading "I don't know whether we can manage that just now," he said.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I don't know whether we can manage that just now," he said.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
immediately past
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading "I don't know whether we can manage that just now," he said.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
a form of address for a man
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
absolutely essential
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "I don't know whether we can manage that just now," he said.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
repapered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
restrictedadjectiveUS /riˈstrɪktəd/
subject to restriction or subjected to restriction
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
Roland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I don't know whether we can manage that just now," he said.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
a person, without saying who
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I don't know whether we can manage that just now," he said.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
a special situation
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
ventnounUS /vent/
a hole for the escape of gas or air
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "I don't know whether we can manage that just now," he said.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
Whately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
at the time that
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading They were considering the advisability of having the dining-room repapered and Mr Whately was doubting whether such an expensive improvement would be possible for their restricted means.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE TWO CURRENTS Roland returned home dissatisfied with himself and anxious to vent the dissatisfaction on someone else.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was in a mood when the least thing would be likely to set him into a flaring temper, and at dinner his father provided the necessary excitant.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading "We have had one or two little extras this last year or so; there was that new stair carpet and then the curtains on the second landing.
