used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
in addition
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
bayonetnounUS /ˈbeɪənet/
a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
have
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Lady Oxted got swiftly and silently up from her chair, and, in the manner of a stooping hawk, took the instrument from him.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading Gun cotton would have smouldered out under so illiterate a stroke.
cross-leggedadverb
with the legs crossed
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
dearly loved
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
distractverbUS /dɪˈstrækt/
draw someone's attention away from something
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
Evie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
start firing a weapon
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Lady Oxted got swiftly and silently up from her chair, and, in the manner of a stooping hawk, took the instrument from him.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Lady Oxted got swiftly and silently up from her chair, and, in the manner of a stooping hawk, took the instrument from him.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Gun cotton would have smouldered out under so illiterate a stroke.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
HASauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Gun cotton would have smouldered out under so illiterate a stroke.
hawknounUS /hɔːk/
diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail
From this reading Lady Oxted got swiftly and silently up from her chair, and, in the manner of a stooping hawk, took the instrument from him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Oxted got swiftly and silently up from her chair, and, in the manner of a stooping hawk, took the instrument from him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Lady Oxted got swiftly and silently up from her chair, and, in the manner of a stooping hawk, took the instrument from him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
idioticadjectiveUS /ˌɪdiˈɑːtɪk/
insanely irresponsible
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
illiterateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlɪtərət/
not able to read or write
From this reading Gun cotton would have smouldered out under so illiterate a stroke.
improperadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɑːpər/
not suitable or right or appropriate
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading Lady Oxted got swiftly and silently up from her chair, and, in the manner of a stooping hawk, took the instrument from him.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
intolerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
ironsnounUS /ˈaɪərnz/
metal shackles; for hands or legs
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
used to form the superlative
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Gun cotton would have smouldered out under so illiterate a stroke.
OXTED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
pokingnounUS /ˈpoʊkɪŋ/
a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
rugnounUS /rʌɡ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
without speaking
From this reading Lady Oxted got swiftly and silently up from her chair, and, in the manner of a stooping hawk, took the instrument from him.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
smouldered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gun cotton would have smouldered out under so illiterate a stroke.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Gun cotton would have smouldered out under so illiterate a stroke.
stoopingadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpɪŋ/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading Lady Oxted got swiftly and silently up from her chair, and, in the manner of a stooping hawk, took the instrument from him.
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading Gun cotton would have smouldered out under so illiterate a stroke.
in a swift manner
From this reading Lady Oxted got swiftly and silently up from her chair, and, in the manner of a stooping hawk, took the instrument from him.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
tongsnounUS /tɑːŋz/
any of various devices for taking hold of objects; usually have two hinged legs with handles above and pointed hooks below
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Lady Oxted got swiftly and silently up from her chair, and, in the manner of a stooping hawk, took the instrument from him.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Gun cotton would have smouldered out under so illiterate a stroke.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Lady Oxted got swiftly and silently up from her chair, and, in the manner of a stooping hawk, took the instrument from him.
vacuitynoun
the absence of matter
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
vivacitynoun
characterized by high spirits and animation
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He was also talking with about equal vivacity and vacuity to Lady Oxted and Evie, but while his conversation was not more than difficult to bear, his poking of the fire was quite intolerable.
in the company of; together with
From this reading LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT Harry was sitting cross-legged on the hearth rug after dinner, poking the fire in an idiotic manner with the tongs.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Gun cotton would have smouldered out under so illiterate a stroke.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "We can attend better, dear Harry," she said, "to your most interesting conversation if you do not distract our minds by making a bayonet of improper fire irons.
