used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
(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 And all the while she was scanning Margaret's new visitor with jealous and appraising eyes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
appraisingadjectiveUS /əˈpreɪzɪŋ/
exercising or involving careful evaluations
From this reading And all the while she was scanning Margaret's new visitor with jealous and appraising eyes.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
ATTICnounUS /ˈætɪk/
floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
chatterin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I come up!
chocolatenounUS /ˈtʃɔːklət/
a beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
circulateverbUS /ˈsɜːrkjəleɪt/
become widely known and passed on
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
clatteringverbUS /ˈklætərɪŋ/
-ing form of “clatter” — make a rattling sound
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I come up!
without stop or interruption
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
cupsnounUS /kʌps/
plural of “cup” — a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
the act of departing
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
the act of discovering something
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I come up!
opinion or judgment
From this reading And all the while she was scanning Margaret's new visitor with jealous and appraising eyes.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
handingverbUS /ˈhændɪŋ/
-ing form of “hand” — place into the hands or custody of
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading "Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I come up!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I come up!
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
interminableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrmənəbəl/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages
From this reading And all the while she was scanning Margaret's new visitor with jealous and appraising eyes.
immediately past
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
Margaret's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And all the while she was scanning Margaret's new visitor with jealous and appraising eyes.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading "Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I come up!
ministrationsnounUS /ˌmɪnəˈstreɪʃənz/
plural of “ministration” — assistance in time of difficulty
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
napkinsnounUS /ˈnæpkɪnz/
plural of “napkin” — a small piece of table linen that is used to wipe the mouth and to cover the lap in order to protect clothing
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading And all the while she was scanning Margaret's new visitor with jealous and appraising eyes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
ParthiannounUS /ˈpɑːrθiən/
a native or inhabitant of Parthia
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
platesnounUS /pleɪts/
plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
pouringadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/
flowing profusely
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading "Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I come up!
refreshmentsnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənts/
plural of “refreshment” — snacks and drinks served as a light meal
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
SarahnounUS /ˈserə/
(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
scanningnounUS /ˈskænɪŋ/
the process of translating photographs into a digital form that can be recognized by a computer
From this reading And all the while she was scanning Margaret's new visitor with jealous and appraising eyes.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I come up!
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
servingnounUS /ˈsɜːrvɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And all the while she was scanning Margaret's new visitor with jealous and appraising eyes.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
tea-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I come up!
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DISCOVERY IN THE ATTIC But Sarah continued to circulate around the little tea-table, clattering the cups, pouring the chocolate, and handing about the napkins and plates.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I come up!
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
communicated in words
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
someone who visits
From this reading And all the while she was scanning Margaret's new visitor with jealous and appraising eyes.
volubilitynoun
the quality of being facile in speech and writing
From this reading So much of a contrast was this silence to their usual volubility, that she delivered this Parthian shot as she was at last taking her departure:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And all the while she was scanning Margaret's new visitor with jealous and appraising eyes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I come up!
at the time that
From this reading "Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I come up!
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading And all the while she was scanning Margaret's new visitor with jealous and appraising eyes.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And all the while she was scanning Margaret's new visitor with jealous and appraising eyes.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Her ministrations seemed fairly interminable to the impatient four, and during the whole time that she was serving the refreshments not one of them uttered a word.
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading "Ye all seem mighty quiet, though ye were chatterin' hard enough when I come up!
