used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
consider or hold as true
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
in addition
From this reading Ralph declined the decanters, and also the cigar that his host handed him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He reached out eagerly for the claret and drank two glasses rapidly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
brightenedverbUS /ˈbraɪtənd/
past form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color
From this reading IN RECKLESS MOOD Once the ladies had departed, Sir George brightened visibly.
chatterverbUS /ˈtʃætər/
click repeatedly or uncontrollably
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading Ralph declined the decanters, and also the cigar that his host handed him.
cigarettenounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈet/
finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
claretnoun
a dark purplish-red color
From this reading He reached out eagerly for the claret and drank two glasses rapidly.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
a female human offspring
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
decanters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph declined the decanters, and also the cigar that his host handed him.
declinedverbUS /dɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “decline” — grow worse
From this reading Ralph declined the decanters, and also the cigar that his host handed him.
well in the past; former
From this reading IN RECKLESS MOOD Once the ladies had departed, Sir George brightened visibly.
inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids
From this reading He reached out eagerly for the claret and drank two glasses rapidly.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading He reached out eagerly for the claret and drank two glasses rapidly.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He reached out eagerly for the claret and drank two glasses rapidly.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading IN RECKLESS MOOD Once the ladies had departed, Sir George brightened visibly.
George'snounUS /ˈdʒɔːrdʒəz/
possessive form of “george” — Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading He reached out eagerly for the claret and drank two glasses rapidly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IN RECKLESS MOOD Once the ladies had departed, Sir George brightened visibly.
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading Ralph declined the decanters, and also the cigar that his host handed him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He reached out eagerly for the claret and drank two glasses rapidly.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ralph declined the decanters, and also the cigar that his host handed him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ralph declined the decanters, and also the cigar that his host handed him.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading Ralph declined the decanters, and also the cigar that his host handed him.
not in action or at work
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN RECKLESS MOOD Once the ladies had departed, Sir George brightened visibly.
incomprehensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋkɑːmprəˈhensɪbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading IN RECKLESS MOOD Once the ladies had departed, Sir George brightened visibly.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
Mayfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading IN RECKLESS MOOD Once the ladies had departed, Sir George brightened visibly.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
on one occasion
From this reading IN RECKLESS MOOD Once the ladies had departed, Sir George brightened visibly.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He reached out eagerly for the claret and drank two glasses rapidly.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph declined the decanters, and also the cigar that his host handed him.
with speed
From this reading He reached out eagerly for the claret and drank two glasses rapidly.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He reached out eagerly for the claret and drank two glasses rapidly.
RECKLESSadjectiveUS /ˈrekləs/
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
From this reading IN RECKLESS MOOD Once the ladies had departed, Sir George brightened visibly.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
scoundrelnounUS /ˈskaʊndrəl/
a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
term of address for a man
From this reading IN RECKLESS MOOD Once the ladies had departed, Sir George brightened visibly.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ralph declined the decanters, and also the cigar that his host handed him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN RECKLESS MOOD Once the ladies had departed, Sir George brightened visibly.
a special situation
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He reached out eagerly for the claret and drank two glasses rapidly.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
visiblyadverbUS /ˈvɪzəbli/
in a visible manner
From this reading IN RECKLESS MOOD Once the ladies had departed, Sir George brightened visibly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He contented himself with a cigarette; he replied more or less vaguely to Sir George's idle chatter.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading It seemed almost incomprehensible to him that a father could sacrifice a daughter to a scoundrel like Mayfield, and accept the situation as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
