adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He picked up a paper but threw it down after only a casual glance at the paragraph.
aimlesslyadverbUS /ˈeɪmləsli/
without aim; in an aimless manner
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
amountnounUS /əˈmaʊnt/
a quantity of money
From this reading He saw enough to convince him that for the present, at any rate, Elizabeth seemed assured of a certain amount of sympathy.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He saw enough to convince him that for the present, at any rate, Elizabeth seemed assured of a certain amount of sympathy.
assuredadjectiveUS /əˈʃʊrd/
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading He saw enough to convince him that for the present, at any rate, Elizabeth seemed assured of a certain amount of sympathy.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He picked up a paper but threw it down after only a casual glance at the paragraph.
casualadjectiveUS /ˈkæʒəwəl/
marked by blithe unconcern
From this reading He picked up a paper but threw it down after only a casual glance at the paragraph.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading He saw enough to convince him that for the present, at any rate, Elizabeth seemed assured of a certain amount of sympathy.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
concentrateverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəntreɪt/
make denser, stronger, or purer
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Every now and then he heard scraps of conversation from the servants and passers-by, referring to the last night's incident.
convinceverbUS /kənˈvɪns/
make (someone) agree, understand, or realize the truth or validity of something
From this reading He saw enough to convince him that for the present, at any rate, Elizabeth seemed assured of a certain amount of sympathy.
CourtnounUS /kɔːrt/
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He picked up a paper but threw it down after only a casual glance at the paragraph.
dreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
dulladjectiveUS /dʌl/
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
ElizabethnounUS /ɪˈlɪzəbəθ/
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He saw enough to convince him that for the present, at any rate, Elizabeth seemed assured of a certain amount of sympathy.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every now and then he heard scraps of conversation from the servants and passers-by, referring to the last night's incident.
filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
flower-hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Every now and then he heard scraps of conversation from the servants and passers-by, referring to the last night's incident.
glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He picked up a paper but threw it down after only a casual glance at the paragraph.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Every now and then he heard scraps of conversation from the servants and passers-by, referring to the last night's incident.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
incidentnounUS /ˈɪnsədənt/
a single distinct event
From this reading Every now and then he heard scraps of conversation from the servants and passers-by, referring to the last night's incident.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He picked up a paper but threw it down after only a casual glance at the paragraph.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading Every now and then he heard scraps of conversation from the servants and passers-by, referring to the last night's incident.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
MilannounUS /məˈlɑːn/
the capital of Lombardy in northern Italy; has been an international center of trade and industry since the Middle Ages
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
movesnounUS /muːvz/
plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Every now and then he heard scraps of conversation from the servants and passers-by, referring to the last night's incident.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Every now and then he heard scraps of conversation from the servants and passers-by, referring to the last night's incident.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading He picked up a paper but threw it down after only a casual glance at the paragraph.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading He picked up a paper but threw it down after only a casual glance at the paragraph.
paragraphnounUS /ˈpærəɡræf/
one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line
From this reading He picked up a paper but threw it down after only a casual glance at the paragraph.
passers-bynounUS /ˈpæsərzbaɪ/
plural of “passer-by” — a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading Every now and then he heard scraps of conversation from the servants and passers-by, referring to the last night's incident.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
pickedverbUS /pɪkt/
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading He picked up a paper but threw it down after only a casual glance at the paragraph.
preparedadjectiveUS /priˈperd/
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He saw enough to convince him that for the present, at any rate, Elizabeth seemed assured of a certain amount of sympathy.
ratenounUS /reɪt/
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading He saw enough to convince him that for the present, at any rate, Elizabeth seemed assured of a certain amount of sympathy.
referringverbUS /rɪˈfɜːrɪŋ/
inflected form of “refer” — make reference to
From this reading Every now and then he heard scraps of conversation from the servants and passers-by, referring to the last night's incident.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw enough to convince him that for the present, at any rate, Elizabeth seemed assured of a certain amount of sympathy.
scrapsnounUS /skræps/
food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)
From this reading Every now and then he heard scraps of conversation from the servants and passers-by, referring to the last night's incident.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He saw enough to convince him that for the present, at any rate, Elizabeth seemed assured of a certain amount of sympathy.
sensationnounUS /senˈseɪʃən/
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
servantsnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənts/
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Every now and then he heard scraps of conversation from the servants and passers-by, referring to the last night's incident.
sympathynounUS /ˈsɪmpəθi/
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading He saw enough to convince him that for the present, at any rate, Elizabeth seemed assured of a certain amount of sympathy.
Tavernake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He saw enough to convince him that for the present, at any rate, Elizabeth seemed assured of a certain amount of sympathy.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Every now and then he heard scraps of conversation from the servants and passers-by, referring to the last night's incident.
thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
threwverbUS /θruː/
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading He picked up a paper but threw it down after only a casual glance at the paragraph.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
unableadjectiveUS /əˈneɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
unconsciousadjectiveUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəs/
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
uneasyadjectiveUS /əˈniːzi/
lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He picked up a paper but threw it down after only a casual glance at the paragraph.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
wanderedverbUS /ˈwɑːndərd/
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Tavernake was kept waiting in the hall of the Milan Court for at least half an hour before Elizabeth was prepared to see him.
watchingnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃɪŋ/
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading He wandered aimlessly about watching the people come and go, looking out into the flower-hung courtyard, curiously unconscious of himself and of his errand, unable to concentrate his thoughts for a moment, yet filled all the time with the dull and uneasy sensation of one who moves in a dream.
