used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Game of Billiards The officers' mess of the Guards--the billiard-room.
not being in a specified place
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading There had been something in the atmosphere during the meal which was hardly genial.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been something in the atmosphere during the meal which was hardly genial.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
billiard-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Game of Billiards The officers' mess of the Guards--the billiard-room.
BilliardsnounUS /ˈbɪljərdz/
any of several games played on rectangular cloth-covered table (with cushioned edges) in which long tapering cue sticks are used to propel ivory (or composition) balls
From this reading A Game of Billiards The officers' mess of the Guards--the billiard-room.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
dinersnounUS /ˈdaɪnərz/
plural of “diner” — a person eating a meal (especially in a restaurant)
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading There had been something in the atmosphere during the meal which was hardly genial.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
divisible by two
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
a social unit living together
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading A Game of Billiards The officers' mess of the Guards--the billiard-room.
genialadjectiveUS /ˈdʒiːnjəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading There had been something in the atmosphere during the meal which was hardly genial.
GuardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading A Game of Billiards The officers' mess of the Guards--the billiard-room.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There had been something in the atmosphere during the meal which was hardly genial.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
only a very short time before
From this reading There had been something in the atmosphere during the meal which was hardly genial.
harmonynounUS /ˈhɑːrməni/
compatibility in opinion and action
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There had been something in the atmosphere during the meal which was hardly genial.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
lutenounUS /luːt/
a substance for packing a joint or coating a porous surface to make it impervious to gas or liquid
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading There had been something in the atmosphere during the meal which was hardly genial.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
messnounUS /mes/
a state of confusion and disorderliness
From this reading A Game of Billiards The officers' mess of the Guards--the billiard-room.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Game of Billiards The officers' mess of the Guards--the billiard-room.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading A Game of Billiards The officers' mess of the Guards--the billiard-room.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
poolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
regimentaladjectiveUS /ˌredʒəˈmentəl/
belonging to or concerning a regiment
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
reignverbUS /reɪn/
have sovereign power
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
riftnounUS /rɪft/
a gap between cloud masses
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
snookerverbUS /ˈsnʊkər/
fool or dupe
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There had been something in the atmosphere during the meal which was hardly genial.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Game of Billiards The officers' mess of the Guards--the billiard-room.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been something in the atmosphere during the meal which was hardly genial.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
unbearableadjectiveUS /ənˈberəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
except if; if not
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There had been something in the atmosphere during the meal which was hardly genial.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Dinner was over, coffee was being drunk while the diners played a game of snooker pool, that is, some of them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Unless they are on the best of terms with each other, that easy atmosphere is absent, and things become impossible; there must not be even a suspicion of a rift in the lute, if that complete harmony is to reign without which the position becomes unbearable.
