used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The cigarettes had, at least, provided diversion of a sort.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
anew
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Since Anne’s peremptory summons by her mother, he had been left severely alone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
Anne'snounUS /ænz/
possessive form of “anne” — Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
From this reading Since Anne’s peremptory summons by her mother, he had been left severely alone.
any thing at all
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The cigarettes had, at least, provided diversion of a sort.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Since Anne’s peremptory summons by her mother, he had been left severely alone.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Since Anne’s peremptory summons by her mother, he had been left severely alone.
an occurrence of something
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
cigarettenounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈet/
finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
cigarettesnounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈets/
plural of “cigarette” — finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading The cigarettes had, at least, provided diversion of a sort.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading The clock on the mantel had ticked off the minutes with maddening regularity.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
consumptionnounUS /kənˈsʌmpʃən/
the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating)
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
CurtisnounUS /ˈkɜːrtəs/
English botanical writer and publisher (1746-1799)
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
the act of departing
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
diversionnounUS /daɪˈvɜːrʒən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading The cigarettes had, at least, provided diversion of a sort.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
foldingnounUS /ˈfoʊldɪŋ/
the process whereby a protein molecule assumes its intricate three-dimensional shape
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Since Anne’s peremptory summons by her mother, he had been left severely alone.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
inquestnounUS /ˈɪnkwest/
an inquiry into the cause of an unexpected death
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
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 The cigarettes had, at least, provided diversion of a sort.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Since Anne’s peremptory summons by her mother, he had been left severely alone.
a room where books are kept
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
maddeningadjectiveUS /ˈmædənɪŋ/
extremely annoying or displeasing
From this reading The clock on the mantel had ticked off the minutes with maddening regularity.
mantelnounUS /ˈmæntəl/
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
From this reading The clock on the mantel had ticked off the minutes with maddening regularity.
MeredithnounUS /ˈmerɪdɪθ/
United States civil rights leader whose college registration caused riots in traditionally segregated Mississippi (born in 1933)
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading The clock on the mantel had ticked off the minutes with maddening regularity.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Since Anne’s peremptory summons by her mother, he had been left severely alone.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
not any; not one
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The clock on the mantel had ticked off the minutes with maddening regularity.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The clock on the mantel had ticked off the minutes with maddening regularity.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
peremptoryadjectiveUS /pərˈemptəri/
offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power
From this reading Since Anne’s peremptory summons by her mother, he had been left severely alone.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
portières
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading The cigarettes had, at least, provided diversion of a sort.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
regretfullyadverbUS /rɪˈɡretfəli/
with regret (used in polite formulas)
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
regularitynounUS /ˌreɡjəˈlerəti/
a property of polygons: the property of having equal sides and equal angles
From this reading The clock on the mantel had ticked off the minutes with maddening regularity.
severelyadverbUS /səˈvɪrli/
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading Since Anne’s peremptory summons by her mother, he had been left severely alone.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since Anne’s peremptory summons by her mother, he had been left severely alone.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading The cigarettes had, at least, provided diversion of a sort.
a lightweight cord
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading Since Anne’s peremptory summons by her mother, he had been left severely alone.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The cigarettes had, at least, provided diversion of a sort.
tickedverbUS /tɪkt/
past form of “tick” — make a clicking or ticking sound
From this reading The clock on the mantel had ticked off the minutes with maddening regularity.
transpiringadjectiveUS /trænˈspaɪərɪŋ/
that is passing through
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading TWO PIECES OF STRING David Curtis felt around his empty cigarette case and sighed regretfully; he had not realized his rapid consumption of its contents.
the act of using
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading No one had entered the library and the folding doors, which had been in use for the inquest in place of the portières, and closed again by Mrs. Meredith after Anne’s departure, had prevented his hearing anything transpiring in the hall.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The clock on the mantel had ticked off the minutes with maddening regularity.
