used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What these were he scarcely knew himself for a few seconds.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They moved away and went to the supper-room themselves, leaving Tredennis to his reflections.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They moved away and went to the supper-room themselves, leaving Tredennis to his reflections.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
complimentverbUS /ˈkɑːmpləment/
say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading The murmur of voices and passing to and fro confused him.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
the act of consuming food
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading What these were he scarcely knew himself for a few seconds.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading What these were he scarcely knew himself for a few seconds.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The murmur of voices and passing to and fro confused him.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
happieradjectiveUS /ˈhæpiər/
comparative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What these were he scarcely knew himself for a few seconds.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The murmur of voices and passing to and fro confused him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading What these were he scarcely knew himself for a few seconds.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They moved away and went to the supper-room themselves, leaving Tredennis to his reflections.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
icesnounUS /ˈaɪsəz/
plural of “ice” — water frozen in the solid state
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading What these were he scarcely knew himself for a few seconds.
the sound of laughing
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
the act of departing
From this reading They moved away and went to the supper-room themselves, leaving Tredennis to his reflections.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading They moved away and went to the supper-room themselves, leaving Tredennis to his reflections.
murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading The murmur of voices and passing to and fro confused him.
not one, and not any
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The murmur of voices and passing to and fro confused him.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading The murmur of voices and passing to and fro confused him.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
by chance
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading They moved away and went to the supper-room themselves, leaving Tredennis to his reflections.
only a very short time before
From this reading What these were he scarcely knew himself for a few seconds.
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading What these were he scarcely knew himself for a few seconds.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
supper-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They moved away and went to the supper-room themselves, leaving Tredennis to his reflections.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They moved away and went to the supper-room themselves, leaving Tredennis to his reflections.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They moved away and went to the supper-room themselves, leaving Tredennis to his reflections.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading What these were he scarcely knew himself for a few seconds.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They moved away and went to the supper-room themselves, leaving Tredennis to his reflections.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They moved away and went to the supper-room themselves, leaving Tredennis to his reflections.
Tredennis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They moved away and went to the supper-room themselves, leaving Tredennis to his reflections.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The murmur of voices and passing to and fro confused him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was of Bertha these people had been speaking--of Bertha, and it was Bertha he could see through the open doors of the supper-room, eating ices, listening to compliment and laughter and jest!
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading They moved away and went to the supper-room themselves, leaving Tredennis to his reflections.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading What these were he scarcely knew himself for a few seconds.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What these were he scarcely knew himself for a few seconds.
in or at the place that
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
a late time of life
From this reading For half an hour of quiet in some friendly corner, where none could see his face, he felt that he would have given a year or so of his life--perhaps a greater number of years than a happier man would have been willing to part with.
