used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
abhorredverbUS /əbˈhɔːrd/
inflected form of “abhor” — find repugnant
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OGDEN was bored, and when bored her temper was apt to prove uncertain.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading OGDEN was bored, and when bored her temper was apt to prove uncertain.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
assistantnounUS /əˈsɪstənt/
a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
Barclay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
boredadjectiveUS /bɔːrd/
tired of the world
From this reading OGDEN was bored, and when bored her temper was apt to prove uncertain.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
decorateverbUS /ˈdekəreɪt/
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
departverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrt/
move away from a place into another direction
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
diningnounUS /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/
the act of eating dinner
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
florist's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
the act of departing
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading OGDEN was bored, and when bored her temper was apt to prove uncertain.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
JuliannounUS /ˈdʒuːliən/
Roman Emperor and nephew of Constantine; he restored paganism as the official religion of the Roman Empire and destroyed Christian temples but his decision was reversed after his death (331?-363)
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
knottyadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːti/
making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
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 She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
for more time
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading QUICKSAND MRS.
Norcross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
OGDENnounUS /ˈɑːɡdən/
English psychologist who collaborated with I. A. Richards in designing Basic English (1889-1957)
From this reading OGDEN was bored, and when bored her temper was apt to prove uncertain.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
and nothing more
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
palmsnounUS /pɑːmz/
plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
persistedverbUS /pərˈsɪstɪd/
past form of “persist” — continue to exist
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
politicsnounUS /ˈpɑːlətɪks/
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading OGDEN was bored, and when bored her temper was apt to prove uncertain.
QUICKSANDnounUS /ˈkwɪksænd/
a treacherous situation that tends to entrap and destroy
From this reading QUICKSAND MRS.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
for a short time
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
not in physical motion
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading OGDEN was bored, and when bored her temper was apt to prove uncertain.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading OGDEN was bored, and when bored her temper was apt to prove uncertain.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading OGDEN was bored, and when bored her temper was apt to prove uncertain.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading OGDEN was bored, and when bored her temper was apt to prove uncertain.
at the time that
From this reading OGDEN was bored, and when bored her temper was apt to prove uncertain.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The interview was longer than she anticipated, and several times she called upon Julian Barclay, who had entered the reception hall while the discussion was still going on, to settle knotty points in the arrangement of palms and flowers.
which person or people
From this reading She had left the dining room shortly after to interview the florist’s assistant, who had come to decorate the house for her dinner that evening.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Only Professor Norcross and her husband had appeared for breakfast, and the latter had persisted in discussing politics and the money market, two things which she abhorred, and she had seen them depart with a sense of relief.
