Chapter VI · Chapter 6

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

quickly and without warning

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

(in India) a native nursemaid who looks after children

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

possessive form of “baby” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

click repeatedly or uncontrollably

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

in a cheerful manner

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

expressing extreme contempt

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

a short simple song (or the words of a poem intended to be sung)

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

give expression to

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

the trait of being frivolous; not serious or sensible

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

in an imperious manner

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

that cannot be entirely consumed or used up

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

showing lack of care for consequences

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

having a series of high-pitched ringing sounds like many small bells

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

with humor

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

for more time

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

any art that invokes supernatural powers

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

possessive form of “monkey” — any of various long-tailed primates (excluding the prosimians)

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

a child's room for a baby

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

uneven by virtue of having wrinkles or waves

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

given to or marked by sentiment or sentimentality

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

deliver by singing

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

with spasms

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

not having a musical sound or pleasing tune

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading COMRADES The jingling notes of a piano playing an air from a comic opera floated cheerily forth into the magic silence of the Simla pines, and abruptly, almost spasmodically, a cracked voice began to sing.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

in or at the place that

From this reading He was waiting for his mistress to come out of the nursery where her voice could be heard talking imperiously to her baby's _ayah_.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading He had already waited some minutes, and he would probably have waited much longer, for his patience was inexhaustible, had it not been for that sudden irresponsible and wholly tuneless burst of song.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was a sentimental ditty treated jocosely, and its frivolity rippled out into the mid-day silence with something of the effect of a monkey's chatter.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The _khitmutgar_ on the verandah would have looked scandalised or at best contemptuous had it not been his rôle to express nothing but the dignified humility of the native servant.