used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
speak to
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
anew
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Not that there were any blunt orders, or quarrels.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
BarbernounUS /ˈbɑːrbər/
United States composer (1910-1981)
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
bluntadjectiveUS /blʌnt/
having a broad or rounded end
From this reading Not that there were any blunt orders, or quarrels.
terminate
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
Cisnoun
an alliance made up of states that had been Soviet Socialist Republics in the Soviet Union prior to its dissolution in Dec 1991
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Johnnie could not keep his heart from thumping unpleasantly.
covertlyadverbUS /koʊˈvɜːrtli/
in a covert manner
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
differencesnounUS /ˈdɪfərənsɪz/
plural of “difference” — the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
divisible by two
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
eyedadjectiveUS /aɪd/
having an eye or eyes or eyelike feature especially as specified; often used in combination
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Johnnie could not keep his heart from thumping unpleasantly.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Johnnie could not keep his heart from thumping unpleasantly.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
Johnnie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Johnnie could not keep his heart from thumping unpleasantly.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not that there were any blunt orders, or quarrels.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
on one occasion
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Not that there were any blunt orders, or quarrels.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Not that there were any blunt orders, or quarrels.
Perkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
quarrelsnounUS /ˈkwɔːrəlz/
plural of “quarrel” — an angry dispute
From this reading Not that there were any blunt orders, or quarrels.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Not that there were any blunt orders, or quarrels.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
thumpingnounUS /ˈθʌmpɪŋ/
a heavy dull sound (as made by impact of heavy objects)
From this reading Johnnie could not keep his heart from thumping unpleasantly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
unpleasantlyadverbUS /ənˈplezəntli/
in an unpleasant manner
From this reading Johnnie could not keep his heart from thumping unpleasantly.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her covertly now and again.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ANOTHER GIFT NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain differences in the flat.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Not that there were any blunt orders, or quarrels.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm were about to break.
