used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
ashtraynounUS /ˈæʃtreɪ/
a receptacle for the ash from smokers' cigars or cigarettes
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
baldadjectiveUS /bɔːld/
with no effort to conceal
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The hot, still place seemed to be enchanted.
befallenverbUS /bəˈfɑːlən/
inflected form of “befall” — become of; happen to
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The red lips beneath the green hat discernibly moved, but no faintest murmur therefrom reached the entrance.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
COMMITTEEnounUS /kəˈmɪti/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
datedadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪtɪd/
marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
discernibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red lips beneath the green hat discernibly moved, but no faintest murmur therefrom reached the entrance.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
enchantedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtʃæn.tɪd/
Filled with or placed under the influence of magical power or charm.
From this reading The hot, still place seemed to be enchanted.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading The red lips beneath the green hat discernibly moved, but no faintest murmur therefrom reached the entrance.
apart from; not including
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
faintestadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪntəst/
superlative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading The red lips beneath the green hat discernibly moved, but no faintest murmur therefrom reached the entrance.
glowingadjectiveUS /ˈɡloʊɪŋ/
highly enthusiastic
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
coins made of gold
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
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 The hot, still place seemed to be enchanted.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
hotelsnounUS /hoʊˈtelz/
plural of “hotel” — a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
ten 10s
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
Lincrusta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading The red lips beneath the green hat discernibly moved, but no faintest murmur therefrom reached the entrance.
meditatingverbUS /ˈmedəteɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “meditate” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The red lips beneath the green hat discernibly moved, but no faintest murmur therefrom reached the entrance.
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading The red lips beneath the green hat discernibly moved, but no faintest murmur therefrom reached the entrance.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
not any; not one
From this reading The red lips beneath the green hat discernibly moved, but no faintest murmur therefrom reached the entrance.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
and nothing more
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
panelsnounUS /ˈpænəlz/
plural of “panel” — sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The hot, still place seemed to be enchanted.
plushyadjective
(of textures) resembling plush
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
poolsnounUS /puːlz/
plural of “pool” — an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The red lips beneath the green hat discernibly moved, but no faintest murmur therefrom reached the entrance.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The red lips beneath the green hat discernibly moved, but no faintest murmur therefrom reached the entrance.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The hot, still place seemed to be enchanted.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
stagnantadjectiveUS /ˈstæɡnənt/
not circulating or flowing
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
not in physical motion
From this reading The hot, still place seemed to be enchanted.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
tablesnounUS /ˈteɪbəlz/
plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
therefromadverb
from that circumstance or source
From this reading The red lips beneath the green hat discernibly moved, but no faintest murmur therefrom reached the entrance.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The hot, still place seemed to be enchanted.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
waiternounUS /ˈweɪtər/
a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
WaltonnounUS /ˈwɔːltən/
English composer (1902-1983)
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Of the hundred small round tables only one was occupied; a bald head and a large green hat were almost meeting over the top of this table, but there was nothing on it except an ashtray.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
belonging to which person
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading IN COMMITTEE Within the hotel the glowing Gold Hall, whose Lincrusta Walton panels dated it, was nearly empty.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading A waiter wandered about amid the thick plushy silence and the stagnant pools of electric light, meditating upon the curse which had befallen the world of hotels.
