used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was as if a king had come into the presence of half-a-dozen squabbling courtiers.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Godard shrank back in his lookout chair and relapsed into silence.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was as if a king had come into the presence of half-a-dozen squabbling courtiers.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Godard shrank back in his lookout chair and relapsed into silence.
of short duration or distance
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
a game played with playing cards
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Godard shrank back in his lookout chair and relapsed into silence.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was as if a king had come into the presence of half-a-dozen squabbling courtiers.
without stop or interruption
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
courtiersnounUS /ˈkɔːrtiərz/
plural of “courtier” — an attendant at the court of a sovereign
From this reading It was as if a king had come into the presence of half-a-dozen squabbling courtiers.
dealernounUS /ˈdiːlər/
someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
Flood's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical.
gamblingnounUS /ˈɡæmbəlɪŋ/
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
From this reading The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical.
GodardnounUS /ɡəˈdɑːrd/
French film maker influenced by surrealism; early work explored the documentary use of film; noted for innovative techniques (born in 1930)
From this reading Godard shrank back in his lookout chair and relapsed into silence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was as if a king had come into the presence of half-a-dozen squabbling courtiers.
half-a-dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if a king had come into the presence of half-a-dozen squabbling courtiers.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was as if a king had come into the presence of half-a-dozen squabbling courtiers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Godard shrank back in his lookout chair and relapsed into silence.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was as if a king had come into the presence of half-a-dozen squabbling courtiers.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading It was as if a king had come into the presence of half-a-dozen squabbling courtiers.
lookoutnounUS /ˈlʊkaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Godard shrank back in his lookout chair and relapsed into silence.
magicaladjectiveUS /ˈmædʒɪkəl/
possessing or using or characteristic of or appropriate to supernatural powers
From this reading The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical.
MosesnounUS /ˈmoʊzəs/
(Old Testament) the Hebrew prophet who led the Israelites from Egypt across the Red sea on a journey known as the Exodus; Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai
From this reading The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical.
playersnounUS /ˈpleɪərz/
plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading It was as if a king had come into the presence of half-a-dozen squabbling courtiers.
relapsedverbUS /riˈlæpst/
past form of “relapse” — deteriorate in health
From this reading Godard shrank back in his lookout chair and relapsed into silence.
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
seatsnounUS /siːts/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading Godard shrank back in his lookout chair and relapsed into silence.
shufflingnounUS /ˈʃʌflɪŋ/
walking with a slow dragging motion without lifting your feet
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Godard shrank back in his lookout chair and relapsed into silence.
squabblingverbUS /ˈskwɑːbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “squabble” — argue over petty things
From this reading It was as if a king had come into the presence of half-a-dozen squabbling courtiers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
a source of difficulty
From this reading “What’s the trouble?”
unconcernnounUS /ˌʌnkənˈsɜːrn/
the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical.
What's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What’s the trouble?”
which person or people
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
