used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
completely unclothed
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Once before he had incautiously interrupted Ogden at just such a moment, and had fled before the storm provoked by his temerity.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
dishnounUS /dɪʃ/
a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading Once before he had incautiously interrupted Ogden at just such a moment, and had fled before the storm provoked by his temerity.
forbiddingadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪdɪŋ/
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
a quick look
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
gulpverbUS /ɡʌlp/
to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
to a considerable degree
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
hesitatingadjectiveUS /ˈhezəteɪtɪŋ/
lacking decisiveness of character; unable to act or decide quickly or firmly
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
incautiouslyadverb
without caution or prudence
From this reading Once before he had incautiously interrupted Ogden at just such a moment, and had fled before the storm provoked by his temerity.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading Once before he had incautiously interrupted Ogden at just such a moment, and had fled before the storm provoked by his temerity.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
and nothing more
From this reading Once before he had incautiously interrupted Ogden at just such a moment, and had fled before the storm provoked by his temerity.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
the act of departing
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
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 Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
a particular point in time
From this reading Once before he had incautiously interrupted Ogden at just such a moment, and had fled before the storm provoked by his temerity.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
OgdennounUS /ˈɑːɡdən/
English psychologist who collaborated with I. A. Richards in designing Basic English (1889-1957)
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
on one occasion
From this reading Once before he had incautiously interrupted Ogden at just such a moment, and had fled before the storm provoked by his temerity.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
perturbedadjectiveUS /pərˈtɜːrbd/
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
provokedadjectiveUS /prəˈvoʊkt/
incited, especially deliberately, to anger
From this reading Once before he had incautiously interrupted Ogden at just such a moment, and had fled before the storm provoked by his temerity.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Once before he had incautiously interrupted Ogden at just such a moment, and had fled before the storm provoked by his temerity.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Once before he had incautiously interrupted Ogden at just such a moment, and had fled before the storm provoked by his temerity.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
temeritynounUS /təˈmerəti/
fearless daring
From this reading Once before he had incautiously interrupted Ogden at just such a moment, and had fled before the storm provoked by his temerity.
temptinglyadverb
in a tempting seductive manner
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
tip-toe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
having come into contact
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading Not a dish had been touched, and twenty minutes had elapsed since he brought them in, hot from the kitchen.
uneaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
unspokenadjectiveUS /ənˈspoʊkən/
expressed without speech
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
untastedadjective
still full
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading THE STILL, SMALL VOICE CHARLES, the butler, stared in dismay at the untasted breakfast sitting temptingly before Walter Ogden.
a message informing of danger
From this reading The perturbed butler took a hesitating step toward Ogden but a glimpse of his face behind the morning paper, and its forbidding expression caused Charles to retreat on tip-toe, his warning about a cold breakfast unspoken.
at the time that
From this reading Charles had left the room but a bare five minutes when Ogden threw down his newspaper, poured out a cup of coffee, drank it almost in one gulp, and leaving his breakfast uneaten, walked heavily away from the table.
