used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading POINT-BLANK Mrs. Mallathorpe was alone when Pratt's card was taken to her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She looked at the card doubtfully--Pratt had pencilled a word or two on it: "Private and important business."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then she glanced at the butler--an elderly man who had been with John Mallathorpe many years before the catastrophe occurred.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
billiardsnounUS /ˈbɪljərdz/
any of several games played on rectangular cloth-covered table (with cushioned edges) in which long tapering cue sticks are used to propel ivory (or composition) balls
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
boringadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrɪŋ/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading She looked at the card doubtfully--Pratt had pencilled a word or two on it: "Private and important business."
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading Then she glanced at the butler--an elderly man who had been with John Mallathorpe many years before the catastrophe occurred.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading POINT-BLANK Mrs. Mallathorpe was alone when Pratt's card was taken to her.
catastrophenounUS /kəˈtæstrəfi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Then she glanced at the butler--an elderly man who had been with John Mallathorpe many years before the catastrophe occurred.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
doubtfullyadverb
in a doubtful manner
From this reading She looked at the card doubtfully--Pratt had pencilled a word or two on it: "Private and important business."
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Then she glanced at the butler--an elderly man who had been with John Mallathorpe many years before the catastrophe occurred.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Then she glanced at the butler--an elderly man who had been with John Mallathorpe many years before the catastrophe occurred.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
HarpernounUS /ˈhɑːrpər/
someone who plays the harp
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading POINT-BLANK Mrs. Mallathorpe was alone when Pratt's card was taken to her.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
of great significance or value
From this reading She looked at the card doubtfully--Pratt had pencilled a word or two on it: "Private and important business."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Then she glanced at the butler--an elderly man who had been with John Mallathorpe many years before the catastrophe occurred.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked at the card doubtfully--Pratt had pencilled a word or two on it: "Private and important business."
luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
Mallathorpe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading POINT-BLANK Mrs. Mallathorpe was alone when Pratt's card was taken to her.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Then she glanced at the butler--an elderly man who had been with John Mallathorpe many years before the catastrophe occurred.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Then she glanced at the butler--an elderly man who had been with John Mallathorpe many years before the catastrophe occurred.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading POINT-BLANK Mrs. Mallathorpe was alone when Pratt's card was taken to her.
Nesta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
not any; not one
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Then she glanced at the butler--an elderly man who had been with John Mallathorpe many years before the catastrophe occurred.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She looked at the card doubtfully--Pratt had pencilled a word or two on it: "Private and important business."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She looked at the card doubtfully--Pratt had pencilled a word or two on it: "Private and important business."
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
pencilledadjective
drawn or written with a pencil
From this reading She looked at the card doubtfully--Pratt had pencilled a word or two on it: "Private and important business."
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
a full supply
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
POINT-BLANKadjective
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading POINT-BLANK Mrs. Mallathorpe was alone when Pratt's card was taken to her.
Pratt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked at the card doubtfully--Pratt had pencilled a word or two on it: "Private and important business."
Pratt's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading POINT-BLANK Mrs. Mallathorpe was alone when Pratt's card was taken to her.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading She looked at the card doubtfully--Pratt had pencilled a word or two on it: "Private and important business."
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She looked at the card doubtfully--Pratt had pencilled a word or two on it: "Private and important business."
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading POINT-BLANK Mrs. Mallathorpe was alone when Pratt's card was taken to her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then she glanced at the butler--an elderly man who had been with John Mallathorpe many years before the catastrophe occurred.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading POINT-BLANK Mrs. Mallathorpe was alone when Pratt's card was taken to her.
triflingnounUS /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading She looked at the card doubtfully--Pratt had pencilled a word or two on it: "Private and important business."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading POINT-BLANK Mrs. Mallathorpe was alone when Pratt's card was taken to her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Harper and Nesta were playing billiards in a distant part of the big house.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
at the time that
From this reading POINT-BLANK Mrs. Mallathorpe was alone when Pratt's card was taken to her.
which person or people
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then she glanced at the butler--an elderly man who had been with John Mallathorpe many years before the catastrophe occurred.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading She looked at the card doubtfully--Pratt had pencilled a word or two on it: "Private and important business."
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Dinner had been over for an hour; Mrs. Mallathorpe, who had known what hard work and plenty of it was, in her time, was trifling over the newspapers--rest, comfort, and luxury were by no means boring to her.
a late time of life
From this reading Then she glanced at the butler--an elderly man who had been with John Mallathorpe many years before the catastrophe occurred.
