used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
aloofadjectiveUS /əˈluːf/
remote in manner
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
berthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
a job in an organization
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
bugnounUS /bʌɡ/
general term for any insect or similar creeping or crawling invertebrate
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
celebritiesnounUS /səˈlebrɪtiz/
plural of “celebrity” — a widely known person
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
createdverbUS /kriˈeɪtəd/
past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
curates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
devotionaladjectiveUS /dɪˈvoʊʃənəl/
relating to worship
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
set up or found
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
hymnnounUS /hɪm/
a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
liquidadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəd/
existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
nightfallnounUS /ˈnaɪtfɔːl/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
many times at short intervals
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
in other respects or ways
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
pale-facedadjective
having a pale face
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
plentifuladjectiveUS /ˈplentəfəl/
existing in great number or quantity
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
ponderedverbUS /ˈpɑːndərd/
past form of “ponder” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
prosperverbUS /ˈprɑːspər/
make steady progress; be at the high point in one's career or reach a high point in historical significance or importance
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
ravishingadjectiveUS /ˈrævɪʃɪŋ/
stunningly beautiful
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
repetitionnounUS /ˌrepəˈtɪʃən/
an event that repeats
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
in the near future
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
spectaclesnounUS /ˈspektəkəlz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
square-toedadjective
exaggeratedly proper
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
strainsnounUS /streɪnz/
plural of “strain” — (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
swearingnounUS /ˈswerɪŋ/
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
toilettes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
arousing affect
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
communicated in words
From this reading But it soon occurred to him that he often heard the name of God being uttered otherwise than in swearing.
precisely as stated
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
vespernounUS /ˈvespər/
a planet (usually Venus) seen at sunset in the western sky
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading Nor did the matter end here, for the strains sounded so lovely, and Virginia looked so devotional, that most of the passengers the night after joined in a repetition of this touching evening office.
Virginia'snounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjəz/
possessive form of “virginia” — a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sensation created by the presence of these two celebrities was profound beyond description; and the passengers were never weary of watching the gleaming spectacles and the square-toed boots of the one, and the liquid eyes and the ravishing toilettes of the other.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Professor, as was natural, held quite aloof, and pondered over a new species of bug, which he had found very plentiful in his berth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Virginia's acquaintance was made almost instantly by three pale-faced curates, and so well did their friendship prosper, that they soon sang at nightfall with her a beautiful vesper hymn.
