used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a moon, too, which made all the difference in the world.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
(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 There was a moon, too, which made all the difference in the world.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
AmericansnounUS /əˈmerəkənz/
plural of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading It had been somewhere about seven when the Americans reached Merton Grange, and now it was getting towards nine.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
any thing at all
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
channelsnounUS /ˈtʃænəlz/
official routes of communication
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
conventionaladjectiveUS /kənˈvenʃənəl/
following accepted customs and proprieties
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading There was a moon, too, which made all the difference in the world.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
enjoysverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪz/
third-person singular of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
opinion or judgment
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
formaladjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrməl/
being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
brought together in one place
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading It had been somewhere about seven when the Americans reached Merton Grange, and now it was getting towards nine.
GrangenounUS /ɡreɪndʒ/
an outlying farm
From this reading It had been somewhere about seven when the Americans reached Merton Grange, and now it was getting towards nine.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
house-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
immediately past
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
limitsnounUS /ˈlɪməts/
plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading There was a moon, too, which made all the difference in the world.
MertonnounUS /ˈmɜːrtən/
United States religious and writer (1915-1968)
From this reading It had been somewhere about seven when the Americans reached Merton Grange, and now it was getting towards nine.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading There was a moon, too, which made all the difference in the world.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading It had been somewhere about seven when the Americans reached Merton Grange, and now it was getting towards nine.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It had been somewhere about seven when the Americans reached Merton Grange, and now it was getting towards nine.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading It had been somewhere about seven when the Americans reached Merton Grange, and now it was getting towards nine.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading It had been somewhere about seven when the Americans reached Merton Grange, and now it was getting towards nine.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
in or at or to some place
From this reading It had been somewhere about seven when the Americans reached Merton Grange, and now it was getting towards nine.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
strollnounUS /stroʊl/
a leisurely walk (usually in some public place)
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
temperaturenounUS /ˈtemprətʃər/
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a moon, too, which made all the difference in the world.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading There was a moon, too, which made all the difference in the world.
in the direction of
From this reading It had been somewhere about seven when the Americans reached Merton Grange, and now it was getting towards nine.
Vera
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
at the time that
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
belonging to which person
From this reading As Vera walked along, she almost smiled to herself to think how strange her conduct might look in the eyes of those formal people whose lives run in conventional channels.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading It was not exactly the temperature at which one enjoys an evening stroll, but the recent events had been so exciting that Vera felt how impossible it would be to settle down to anything within the limits of the house.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading There was a moon, too, which made all the difference in the world.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE LAST FINGER In the ordinary course of things, and but for the dramatic events of the evening, it would have been about the time of night when dinner was finished and the house-party had gathered in the drawing-room.
