used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "But Trevor knows all about him, Aunt Philippa," pleaded Chris.
alterverbUS /ˈɔːltər/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading No argument can possibly alter that fact.
a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading No argument can possibly alter that fact.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading "But Trevor knows all about him, Aunt Philippa," pleaded Chris.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "That," said Aunt Philippa, "may or may not be the case.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
befriendverbUS /bɪˈfrend/
become friends with
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading No argument can possibly alter that fact.
an occurrence of something
From this reading "That," said Aunt Philippa, "may or may not be the case.
Chris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But Trevor knows all about him, Aunt Philippa," pleaded Chris.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
dearly loved
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
desirousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəs/
having or expressing desire for something
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
the act of consuming liquids
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
eccentricadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsentrɪk/
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
every person
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading No argument can possibly alter that fact.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
foreignernounUS /ˈfɔːrənər/
a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "But Trevor knows all about him, Aunt Philippa," pleaded Chris.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
inexcusableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnɪksˈkjuːzəbəl/
without excuse or justification
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
justifyverbUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪ/
show to be right by providing justification or proof
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading "But Trevor knows all about him, Aunt Philippa," pleaded Chris.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "That," said Aunt Philippa, "may or may not be the case.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
not any; not one
From this reading No argument can possibly alter that fact.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "That," said Aunt Philippa, "may or may not be the case.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "That," said Aunt Philippa, "may or may not be the case.
Philippa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But Trevor knows all about him, Aunt Philippa," pleaded Chris.
pleadedverbUS /ˈpliːdɪd/
past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly
From this reading "But Trevor knows all about him, Aunt Philippa," pleaded Chris.
by chance
From this reading No argument can possibly alter that fact.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
questionableadjectiveUS /ˈkwestʃənəbəl/
subject to question
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
REVELATIONnounUS /ˌrevəˈleɪʃən/
the speech act of making something evident
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "That," said Aunt Philippa, "may or may not be the case.
and nothing more
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
supper-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading No argument can possibly alter that fact.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
transpiresverbUS /trænˈspaɪərz/
third-person singular of “transpire” — pass through the tissue or substance or its pores or interstices, as of gas
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
Trevor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
precisely as stated
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Everyone was waiting about for a considerable time in the supper-room, desirous of drinking your health, while you, it transpires, were hiding in a corner with this very questionable foreigner whom Trevor has been eccentric enough to befriend, but of whom I can discover practically nothing."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading A REVELATION "My dear, it is quite useless for you to attempt to justify your conduct, for it was simply inexcusable.
