used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
ALARMINGadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːrmɪŋ/
frightening because of an awareness of danger
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
Arbuthnot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
bearsnounUS /berz/
plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading It is a mighty relief to me, for my little girl was clamoring to become engaged to him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
BurnsnounUS /bɜːrnz/
United States comedian and film actor (1896-1996)
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
clamoringnounUS /ˈklæmərɪŋ/
loud and persistent outcry from many people
From this reading It is a mighty relief to me, for my little girl was clamoring to become engaged to him.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
confidingadjectiveUS /kənˈfaɪdɪŋ/
willing to entrust personal matters
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading “You have heard, of course, Burns, that Arbuthnot has been ordered to India?
disclosuresnounUS /dɪˈskloʊʒərz/
plural of “disclosure” — the speech act of making something evident
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading It is a mighty relief to me, for my little girl was clamoring to become engaged to him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is a mighty relief to me, for my little girl was clamoring to become engaged to him.
foregoingadjectiveUS /fɔːrˈɡoʊɪŋ/
especially of writing or speech; going before
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
a young female
From this reading It is a mighty relief to me, for my little girl was clamoring to become engaged to him.
gistnounUS /dʒɪst/
the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “You have heard, of course, Burns, that Arbuthnot has been ordered to India?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “You have heard, of course, Burns, that Arbuthnot has been ordered to India?
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading “You have heard, of course, Burns, that Arbuthnot has been ordered to India?
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
not accessible to view
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It is a mighty relief to me, for my little girl was clamoring to become engaged to him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947
From this reading “You have heard, of course, Burns, that Arbuthnot has been ordered to India?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is a mighty relief to me, for my little girl was clamoring to become engaged to him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
a narrow way or road
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
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 As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It is a mighty relief to me, for my little girl was clamoring to become engaged to him.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It is a mighty relief to me, for my little girl was clamoring to become engaged to him.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading It is a mighty relief to me, for my little girl was clamoring to become engaged to him.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It is a mighty relief to me, for my little girl was clamoring to become engaged to him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading “You have heard, of course, Burns, that Arbuthnot has been ordered to India?
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
by chance
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
Phyllis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
quotationnounUS /kwoʊˈteɪʃən/
a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
refusingverbUS /rəˈfjuːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
relativenounUS /ˈrelətɪv/
a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading It is a mighty relief to me, for my little girl was clamoring to become engaged to him.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
sallied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
in the near future
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “You have heard, of course, Burns, that Arbuthnot has been ordered to India?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
precisely as stated
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
in or at the place that
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
wind-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ALARMING SUGGESTION The quotation Uncle Robert made, and which was overheard by Philip in the garden, was a wind-up to a conversation relative to Phyllis and Captain Arbuthnot.
fermented juice (of grapes especially)
From this reading As soon as Philip, refusing wine, had sallied forth to smoke in the garden, Colonel Lane began to open his heart--part of it, at least; there was another part where a very tender secret lay hidden--to his friend.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Colonel Lane had been confiding in Mr. Burns, and perhaps it would be as well to give the gist of their conversation, as it bears upon the disclosures of the foregoing chapter.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You have heard, of course, Burns, that Arbuthnot has been ordered to India?
