used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading “Perhaps I can furnish you a little scrap of information that will afford temporary relief.”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Perhaps I can furnish you a little scrap of information that will afford temporary relief.”
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
Darlington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
engageverbUS /enˈɡeɪdʒ/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
furnishverbUS /ˈfɜːrnɪʃ/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading “Perhaps I can furnish you a little scrap of information that will afford temporary relief.”
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
gossipnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəp/
light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
a message received and understood
From this reading “Perhaps I can furnish you a little scrap of information that will afford temporary relief.”
intolerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
intrudersnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdərz/
plural of “intruder” — someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Tell it then without preliminaries.”
Ivanhoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “Perhaps I can furnish you a little scrap of information that will afford temporary relief.”
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
mixturenounUS /ˈmɪkstʃər/
(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
nicknamedverbUS /ˈnɪkneɪmd/
past form of “nickname” — give a nickname to
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
by chance
From this reading “Perhaps I can furnish you a little scrap of information that will afford temporary relief.”
preliminariesnounUS /prɪˈlɪməneriz/
plural of “preliminary” — a minor match preceding the main event
From this reading “Tell it then without preliminaries.”
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading “Perhaps I can furnish you a little scrap of information that will afford temporary relief.”
ScottienounUS /ˈskɑːti/
old Scottish breed of small long-haired usually black terrier with erect tail and ears
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
scrapnounUS /skræp/
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading “Perhaps I can furnish you a little scrap of information that will afford temporary relief.”
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
term of address for a man
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
spiesnounUS /spaɪz/
plural of “spy” — (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
express in words
From this reading “Tell it then without preliminaries.”
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading “Perhaps I can furnish you a little scrap of information that will afford temporary relief.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “Tell it then without preliminaries.”
threadbareadjectiveUS /ˈθredber/
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
topicnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪk/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
unsettleverbUS /ənˈsetəl/
disturb the composure of
From this reading The fact of the business is, I believe, that another day of such intolerable suspense will unsettle my mind.”
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ivanhoe and Miss Darlington (nicknamed Scottie) were as usual engaged in an earnest conversation, the topic being a mixture of sentiment and gossip.
in or at the place that
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading “Tell it then without preliminaries.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Now, sir knight,” observed Miss Darlington, as she led him to a seat, “if you feel inclined to engage in a game of gossip on the old threadbare topic, we will stop here, where we will be free from spies or intruders.
