used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE COUNTESS, THE COUSIN, AND THE CRITIC Out in the streets they paused.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Why on earth shouldn't you come to my rooms?" he asked.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then a luminous idea came to Douglas.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I can give you some decent coffee and read you the first chapter of my novel."
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading "I can give you some decent coffee and read you the first chapter of my novel."
Cicely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading "I can give you some decent coffee and read you the first chapter of my novel."
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Why on earth shouldn't you come to my rooms?" he asked.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading THE COUNTESS, THE COUSIN, AND THE CRITIC Out in the streets they paused.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading THE COUNTESS, THE COUSIN, AND THE CRITIC Out in the streets they paused.
CRITICnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪk/
a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading THE COUNTESS, THE COUSIN, AND THE CRITIC Out in the streets they paused.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
From this reading "I can give you some decent coffee and read you the first chapter of my novel."
DouglasnounUS /ˈdʌɡləs/
United States politician who proposed that individual territories be allowed to decide whether they would have slavery; he engaged in a famous series of debates with Abraham Lincoln (1813-1861)
From this reading Then a luminous idea came to Douglas.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading "Why on earth shouldn't you come to my rooms?" he asked.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "I can give you some decent coffee and read you the first chapter of my novel."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading "I can give you some decent coffee and read you the first chapter of my novel."
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Why on earth shouldn't you come to my rooms?" he asked.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I can give you some decent coffee and read you the first chapter of my novel."
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Then a luminous idea came to Douglas.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE COUNTESS, THE COUSIN, AND THE CRITIC Out in the streets they paused.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
luminousadjectiveUS /ˈluːmənəs/
softly bright or radiant
From this reading Then a luminous idea came to Douglas.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Why on earth shouldn't you come to my rooms?" he asked.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
novelnounUS /ˈnɑːvəl/
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading "I can give you some decent coffee and read you the first chapter of my novel."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Why on earth shouldn't you come to my rooms?" he asked.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE COUNTESS, THE COUSIN, AND THE CRITIC Out in the streets they paused.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading THE COUNTESS, THE COUSIN, AND THE CRITIC Out in the streets they paused.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading "I can give you some decent coffee and read you the first chapter of my novel."
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading "Why on earth shouldn't you come to my rooms?" he asked.
shouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why on earth shouldn't you come to my rooms?" he asked.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "I can give you some decent coffee and read you the first chapter of my novel."
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading THE COUNTESS, THE COUSIN, AND THE CRITIC Out in the streets they paused.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COUNTESS, THE COUSIN, AND THE CRITIC Out in the streets they paused.
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then a luminous idea came to Douglas.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE COUNTESS, THE COUSIN, AND THE CRITIC Out in the streets they paused.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then a luminous idea came to Douglas.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A theatre or any place of amusement was out of the question, for Cicely dared not stay out later than half-past nine.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why on earth shouldn't you come to my rooms?" he asked.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Why on earth shouldn't you come to my rooms?" he asked.
