used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading He said suddenly, "I'm going to the city this afternoon."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Sherry, in blue cut decanters stoppered with gilt, gave place to port.
burnishedadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrnɪʃt/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading He said suddenly, "I'm going to the city this afternoon."
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Sherry, in blue cut decanters stoppered with gilt, gave place to port.
decanters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sherry, in blue cut decanters stoppered with gilt, gave place to port.
doubtfullyadverb
in a doubtful manner
From this reading "Is it safe yet?" his mother queried doubtfully.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
epergnenoun
a large table centerpiece with branching holders for fruit or sweets or flowers
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
fingeredadjectiveUS /ˈfɪŋɡərd/
having or resembling a finger or fingers; often used in combination
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Sherry, in blue cut decanters stoppered with gilt, gave place to port.
giltadjectiveUS /ɡɪlt/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Sherry, in blue cut decanters stoppered with gilt, gave place to port.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
the act of departing
From this reading He said suddenly, "I'm going to the city this afternoon."
Hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He said suddenly, "I'm going to the city this afternoon."
heedlesslyadverb
without care or concern
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Is it safe yet?" his mother queried doubtfully.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He said suddenly, "I'm going to the city this afternoon."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sherry, in blue cut decanters stoppered with gilt, gave place to port.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Is it safe yet?" his mother queried doubtfully.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Is it safe yet?" his mother queried doubtfully.
JaspernounUS /ˈdʒæspər/
an opaque form of quartz; red or yellow or brown or dark green in color; used for ornamentation or as a gemstone
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
set down according to a plan
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
lustrenounUS /ˈlʌstər/
a surface coating for ceramics or porcelain
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "Is it safe yet?" his mother queried doubtfully.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
oaknounUS /oʊk/
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
ormolunoun
brass that looks like gold; used to decorate furniture
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
PennynounUS /ˈpeni/
a fractional monetary unit of Ireland and the United Kingdom; equal to one hundredth of a pound
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Sherry, in blue cut decanters stoppered with gilt, gave place to port.
platesnounUS /pleɪts/
plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading Sherry, in blue cut decanters stoppered with gilt, gave place to port.
queriedverbUS /ˈkwɪrid/
inflected form of “query” — pose a question
From this reading "Is it safe yet?" his mother queried doubtfully.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading "Is it safe yet?" his mother queried doubtfully.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He said suddenly, "I'm going to the city this afternoon."
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
SherrynounUS /ˈʃeri/
dry to sweet amber wine from the Jerez region of southern Spain or similar wines produced elsewhere; usually drunk as an aperitif
From this reading Sherry, in blue cut decanters stoppered with gilt, gave place to port.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
socketsnounUS /ˈsɑːkəts/
plural of “socket” — a bony hollow into which a structure fits
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
stemnounUS /stem/
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
stopperedadjective
(of a container) having a stopper in the opening
From this reading Sherry, in blue cut decanters stoppered with gilt, gave place to port.
fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
happening unexpectedly
From this reading He said suddenly, "I'm going to the city this afternoon."
supportingadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
furnishing support and encouragement
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
tavernnounUS /ˈtævərn/
a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He said suddenly, "I'm going to the city this afternoon."
up to a particular time
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Sherry, in blue cut decanters stoppered with gilt, gave place to port.
to-morrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
at the time that
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
fermented juice (of grapes especially)
From this reading An epergne of glass and burnished ormolu, in the form of supporting oak leaves, with numerous sockets for candles, was set, filled with fruit, in the centre of the table; silver lustre plates were laid; but Jasper Penny heedlessly fingered the stem of a wine glass.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sherry, in blue cut decanters stoppered with gilt, gave place to port.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
but in spite of that
From this reading "Is it safe yet?" his mother queried doubtfully.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Hadn't you better wait till to-morrow, when you can drive easily, or without stopping at a tavern?"
