Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading "There's an atmosphere of mystery about our presence and our surroundings that's like an aperitif to an already hungry man.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading "There's an atmosphere of mystery about our presence and our surroundings that's like an aperitif to an already hungry man.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

alcoholic beverage taken before a meal as an appetizer

From this reading "There's an atmosphere of mystery about our presence and our surroundings that's like an aperitif to an already hungry man.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading "There's an atmosphere of mystery about our presence and our surroundings that's like an aperitif to an already hungry man.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

at or to or toward the back or rear

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

a former province of eastern France that is famous for its wines

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

the act of eating dinner

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

plural of “energy” — (physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

having or showing great excitement and interest

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

opinion or judgment

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

the act of departing

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

cooked by radiant heat (as over a grill)

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food

From this reading "There's an atmosphere of mystery about our presence and our surroundings that's like an aperitif to an already hungry man.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

inflected form of “instal” — set up for use

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

a landlord who is a woman

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "There's an atmosphere of mystery about our presence and our surroundings that's like an aperitif to an already hungry man.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "There's an atmosphere of mystery about our presence and our surroundings that's like an aperitif to an already hungry man.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

a form of address for a man

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

meat from a mature domestic sheep

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading "There's an atmosphere of mystery about our presence and our surroundings that's like an aperitif to an already hungry man.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

not any; not one

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "There's an atmosphere of mystery about our presence and our surroundings that's like an aperitif to an already hungry man.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

above and across; more than

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

past form of “praise” — express approval of

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading "There's an atmosphere of mystery about our presence and our surroundings that's like an aperitif to an already hungry man.

a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

strange in an interesting or pleasing way

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

past form of “recommend” — push for something

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

a remark that calls attention to something or someone

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

cook with dry heat, usually in an oven

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

plural of “sol” — a colloid that has a continuous liquid phase in which a solid is suspended in a liquid

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

with strength or in a strong manner

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

plural of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

the environmental condition

From this reading "There's an atmosphere of mystery about our presence and our surroundings that's like an aperitif to an already hungry man.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading He devoted all his attention and energies to the pleasures of the table; he praised the grilled soles and roast mutton and grew enthusiastic over some old Burgundy which Mrs. Summers strongly recommended.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "There's an atmosphere of mystery about our presence and our surroundings that's like an aperitif to an already hungry man.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "There's an atmosphere of mystery about our presence and our surroundings that's like an aperitif to an already hungry man.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

in the direction of

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading But when dinner was over and he had drunk a glass or two of old port, his eyes began to turn toward the door of the quaint little parlour in which he and Viner had been installed, and to which the landlady had promised to come.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "I confess I'm unusually curious about what we're going to hear, Viner," he said, as he drew out a well-filled cigar-case.

at the time that

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading LOOKING BACKWARD On the principle that business should never be discussed when one is dining, Mr. Pawle made no reference during dinner to the matter which had brought Viner and himself to the Ellingham Arms.