used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He might have been a rich man as he surveyed the tables and ordered the waiters about.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He might have been a rich man as he surveyed the tables and ordered the waiters about.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading The guests had assembled at length, the dinner was in full swing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The guests had assembled at length, the dinner was in full swing.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading True, somebody else would eventually pay for the dinner, but that detracted nothing from the host's enjoyment.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
chattedverbUS /ˈtʃætəd/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
debonairadjectiveUS /ˌdebəˈner/
having a sophisticated charm
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
detractedverbUS /dɪˈtræktɪd/
past form of “detract” — take away a part from; diminish
From this reading True, somebody else would eventually pay for the dinner, but that detracted nothing from the host's enjoyment.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The guests had assembled at length, the dinner was in full swing.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True, somebody else would eventually pay for the dinner, but that detracted nothing from the host's enjoyment.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading True, somebody else would eventually pay for the dinner, but that detracted nothing from the host's enjoyment.
eventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading True, somebody else would eventually pay for the dinner, but that detracted nothing from the host's enjoyment.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
forgetfuladjectiveUS /fɔːrˈɡetfəl/
(of memory) deficient in retentiveness or range
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading True, somebody else would eventually pay for the dinner, but that detracted nothing from the host's enjoyment.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The guests had assembled at length, the dinner was in full swing.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The guests had assembled at length, the dinner was in full swing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The guests had assembled at length, the dinner was in full swing.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He might have been a rich man as he surveyed the tables and ordered the waiters about.
heart-burning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
host'snounUS /hoʊsts/
possessive form of “host” — a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading True, somebody else would eventually pay for the dinner, but that detracted nothing from the host's enjoyment.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The guests had assembled at length, the dinner was in full swing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading The guests had assembled at length, the dinner was in full swing.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He might have been a rich man as he surveyed the tables and ordered the waiters about.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He might have been a rich man as he surveyed the tables and ordered the waiters about.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading True, somebody else would eventually pay for the dinner, but that detracted nothing from the host's enjoyment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
onlookernounUS /ˈɔːnlʊkər/
someone who looks on
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading He might have been a rich man as he surveyed the tables and ordered the waiters about.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading True, somebody else would eventually pay for the dinner, but that detracted nothing from the host's enjoyment.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
railingsnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋz/
plural of “railing” — a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
possessing material wealth
From this reading He might have been a rich man as he surveyed the tables and ordered the waiters about.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
a person, without saying who
From this reading True, somebody else would eventually pay for the dinner, but that detracted nothing from the host's enjoyment.
surveyedverbUS /sərˈveɪd/
past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way
From this reading He might have been a rich man as he surveyed the tables and ordered the waiters about.
swingverbUS /swɪŋ/
move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The guests had assembled at length, the dinner was in full swing.
tablesnounUS /ˈteɪbəlz/
plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He might have been a rich man as he surveyed the tables and ordered the waiters about.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The guests had assembled at length, the dinner was in full swing.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading True, somebody else would eventually pay for the dinner, but that detracted nothing from the host's enjoyment.
waitersnounUS /ˈweɪtərz/
plural of “waiter” — a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)
From this reading He might have been a rich man as he surveyed the tables and ordered the waiters about.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The guests had assembled at length, the dinner was in full swing.
watchersnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃərz/
plural of “watcher” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sir Charles, smiling, gay, debonair, chatted with his guests as if quite forgetful of the silent watchers by the railings outside.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would have been hard for any onlooker to have guessed that so much misery and heart-burning were there.
