used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
(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 He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
for the reason that
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading The truth was that Keith didn't care very much either.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
clappedverbUS /klæpt/
inflected form of “clap” — put quickly or forcibly
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
concessionnounUS /kənˈseʃən/
a contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth was that Keith didn't care very much either.
one or the other of two
From this reading The truth was that Keith didn't care very much either.
excitedlyadverbUS /ɪkˈsaɪtədli/
with excitement; in an excited manner
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
a social unit living together
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
festoons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
glancesnounUS /ˈɡlænsɪz/
plural of “glance” — a quick look
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
hamperverbUS /ˈhæmpər/
prevent the progress or free movement of
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
Keith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth was that Keith didn't care very much either.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
multicolouredadjective
having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
parcelsnounUS /ˈpɑːrsəlz/
plural of “parcel” — a wrapped container
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
sealingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the act of treating something to make it repel water
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
sidewaysadverbUS /ˈsaɪdweɪz/
with one side forward or to the front
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
snow-whiteadjective
of the white color of snow
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The truth was that Keith didn't care very much either.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
very small
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
a source of difficulty
From this reading It represented a great concession, because neither one of the parents cared much for the trouble involved.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading The truth was that Keith didn't care very much either.
two times
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
precisely as stated
From this reading The truth was that Keith didn't care very much either.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The truth was that Keith didn't care very much either.
waxverbUS /wæks/
cover with wax
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
in or at the place that
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A tiny Christmas tree stood on a table in a corner, glistening with lights and multicoloured paper festoons.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If there had been a number of children in the family, they said, then it would have been another matter.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading He clapped hands and shouted excitedly, of course, but his glances went sideways to the big sofa, where stood a huge hamper piled to twice its own height with parcels, all wrapped in snow-white paper and sealed with red sealing wax.
