used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Queen, as was oft her wont, had hardly said a word.
the state of being absent
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
having companions or an escort
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Cardinal de Moreno looked thoughtful and His Grace of Wessex was singularly silent.
any thing at all
From this reading THE PAWNS The evening banquet had been anything but gay.
apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Queen, as was oft her wont, had hardly said a word.
assemblynounUS /əˈsembli/
a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit
From this reading The brilliant assembly broke up into small groups.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading THE PAWNS The evening banquet had been anything but gay.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE PAWNS The evening banquet had been anything but gay.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading The brilliant assembly broke up into small groups.
lacking funds
From this reading The brilliant assembly broke up into small groups.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE PAWNS The evening banquet had been anything but gay.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
CardinalnounUS /ˈkɑːrdənəl/
(Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes
From this reading The Cardinal de Moreno looked thoughtful and His Grace of Wessex was singularly silent.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading The Cardinal de Moreno looked thoughtful and His Grace of Wessex was singularly silent.
desultoryadjectiveUS /ˈdesəltɔːri/
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
without deviation
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading THE PAWNS The evening banquet had been anything but gay.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading THE PAWNS The evening banquet had been anything but gay.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading The Cardinal de Moreno looked thoughtful and His Grace of Wessex was singularly silent.
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading The brilliant assembly broke up into small groups.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE PAWNS The evening banquet had been anything but gay.
hangsnounUS /hæŋz/
plural of “hang” — a special way of doing something
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
only a very short time before
From this reading The Queen, as was oft her wont, had hardly said a word.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Queen, as was oft her wont, had hardly said a word.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Cardinal de Moreno looked thoughtful and His Grace of Wessex was singularly silent.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The brilliant assembly broke up into small groups.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
the act of departing
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The Cardinal de Moreno looked thoughtful and His Grace of Wessex was singularly silent.
impressiveness in scale or proportion
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
Moreno
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Cardinal de Moreno looked thoughtful and His Grace of Wessex was singularly silent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Cardinal de Moreno looked thoughtful and His Grace of Wessex was singularly silent.
oftadverbUS /ɔːft/
many times at short intervals
From this reading The Queen, as was oft her wont, had hardly said a word.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
PAWNSnounUS /pɔːnz/
plural of “pawn” — an article deposited as security
From this reading THE PAWNS The evening banquet had been anything but gay.
purposelessadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrpəsləs/
not evidencing any purpose or goal
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading The Queen, as was oft her wont, had hardly said a word.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The Queen, as was oft her wont, had hardly said a word.
activities associated with sexual intercourse
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading The Cardinal de Moreno looked thoughtful and His Grace of Wessex was singularly silent.
singularlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələrli/
in a singular manner or to a singular degree
From this reading The Cardinal de Moreno looked thoughtful and His Grace of Wessex was singularly silent.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The brilliant assembly broke up into small groups.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PAWNS The evening banquet had been anything but gay.
thoughtfuladjectiveUS /ˈθɔːtfəl/
having intellectual depth
From this reading The Cardinal de Moreno looked thoughtful and His Grace of Wessex was singularly silent.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The brilliant assembly broke up into small groups.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Queen, as was oft her wont, had hardly said a word.
WessexnounUS /ˈwesəks/
a Saxon kingdom in southwestern England that became the most powerful English kingdom by the 10th century
From this reading The Cardinal de Moreno looked thoughtful and His Grace of Wessex was singularly silent.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Directly after supper Her Majesty retired to her own apartments, accompanied by her ladies, leaving behind her that desultory atmosphere of dull and purposeless conversation, which hangs round a supper table in the absence of the fair sex.
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading The Queen, as was oft her wont, had hardly said a word.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading The Queen, as was oft her wont, had hardly said a word.
