used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
the state of being absent
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He hated intensely to be self-conscious, and his feeling towards every witness of his self-consciousness partook always of the homicidal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He hated intensely to be self-conscious, and his feeling towards every witness of his self-consciousness partook always of the homicidal.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
of short duration or distance
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
constrainedadjectiveUS /kənˈstreɪnd/
lacking spontaneity; not natural
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
constraintnounUS /kənˈstreɪnt/
the state of being physically constrained
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
debrisnounUS /dəˈbriː/
the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He hated intensely to be self-conscious, and his feeling towards every witness of his self-consciousness partook always of the homicidal.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading He hated intensely to be self-conscious, and his feeling towards every witness of his self-consciousness partook always of the homicidal.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading He hated intensely to be self-conscious, and his feeling towards every witness of his self-consciousness partook always of the homicidal.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He hated intensely to be self-conscious, and his feeling towards every witness of his self-consciousness partook always of the homicidal.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He hated intensely to be self-conscious, and his feeling towards every witness of his self-consciousness partook always of the homicidal.
homicidaladjectiveUS /ˌhɑːməˈsaɪdəl/
characteristic of or capable of or having a tendency toward killing another human being
From this reading He hated intensely to be self-conscious, and his feeling towards every witness of his self-consciousness partook always of the homicidal.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
intenselyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtensli/
to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density
From this reading He hated intensely to be self-conscious, and his feeling towards every witness of his self-consciousness partook always of the homicidal.
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 During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
Julian's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
Maldonnoun
a battle in which the Danes defeated the Saxons in 991; celebrated in an old English poem
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
a particular point in time
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
muteadjectiveUS /mjuːt/
expressed without speech
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
of an obscure nature
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
not any; not one
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
notoriousadjectiveUS /noʊˈtɔːriəs/
known widely and usually unfavorably
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
parcelnounUS /ˈpɑːrsəl/
a wrapped container
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Julian Maldon in particular was self-conscious.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
partook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hated intensely to be self-conscious, and his feeling towards every witness of his self-consciousness partook always of the homicidal.
pompnounUS /pɑːmp/
cheap or pretentious or vain display
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
puddingnounUS /ˈpʊdɪŋ/
any of various soft thick unsweetened baked dishes
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
RachelnounUS /ˈreɪtʃəl/
(Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
self-consciousadjectiveUS /ˌselfˈkɑːnʃəs/
aware of yourself as an individual or of your own being and actions and thoughts
From this reading Julian Maldon in particular was self-conscious.
self-consciousnessnounUS /ˌselfˈkɑːnʃəsnəs/
embarrassment deriving from the feeling that others are critically aware of you
From this reading He hated intensely to be self-conscious, and his feeling towards every witness of his self-consciousness partook always of the homicidal.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading During her brief absence Louis, Rachel, and Julian--hero of the night--had sat mute and somewhat constrained round the debris of the birthday pudding.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
in the direction of
From this reading He hated intensely to be self-conscious, and his feeling towards every witness of his self-consciousness partook always of the homicidal.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The constraint was no doubt due partly to Julian's characteristic and notorious grim temper, and partly to mere anticipation of a solemn event.
at the time that
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE FEAST I The dramatic moment of the birthday feast came nearly at the end of the meal when Mrs. Maldon, having in mysterious silence disappeared for a space to the room behind, returned with due pomp bearing a parcel in her dignified hands.
someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading He hated intensely to be self-conscious, and his feeling towards every witness of his self-consciousness partook always of the homicidal.
