used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
(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 WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading ‘Come along into the nursery and have some cocoa.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
awfullyadverbUS /ˈɑːfli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading ‘You look awfully cold, Vivi,’ he began.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading ‘You look awfully cold, Vivi,’ he began.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
brother'snounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading As he lit the candles on the dressing-table the misery in his little brother’s face startled him, it was so white and drawn and hopeless.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading As he lit the candles on the dressing-table the misery in his little brother’s face startled him, it was so white and drawn and hopeless.
cocoanounUS /ˈkoʊkoʊ/
a beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot
From this reading ‘Come along into the nursery and have some cocoa.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading ‘You look awfully cold, Vivi,’ he began.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading ‘Come along into the nursery and have some cocoa.
CONQUERSverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkərz/
third-person singular of “conquer” — bring under control by force or authority
From this reading VIVIAN CONQUERS.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading As he lit the candles on the dressing-table the misery in his little brother’s face startled him, it was so white and drawn and hopeless.
dressing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he lit the candles on the dressing-table the misery in his little brother’s face startled him, it was so white and drawn and hopeless.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading As he lit the candles on the dressing-table the misery in his little brother’s face startled him, it was so white and drawn and hopeless.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading ‘Come along into the nursery and have some cocoa.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading As he lit the candles on the dressing-table the misery in his little brother’s face startled him, it was so white and drawn and hopeless.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading ‘Come along into the nursery and have some cocoa.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As he lit the candles on the dressing-table the misery in his little brother’s face startled him, it was so white and drawn and hopeless.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
provided with artificial light
From this reading As he lit the candles on the dressing-table the misery in his little brother’s face startled him, it was so white and drawn and hopeless.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As he lit the candles on the dressing-table the misery in his little brother’s face startled him, it was so white and drawn and hopeless.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading ‘You look awfully cold, Vivi,’ he began.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading As he lit the candles on the dressing-table the misery in his little brother’s face startled him, it was so white and drawn and hopeless.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
nurserynounUS /ˈnɜːrsəri/
a child's room for a baby
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As he lit the candles on the dressing-table the misery in his little brother’s face startled him, it was so white and drawn and hopeless.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
Ronald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading As he lit the candles on the dressing-table the misery in his little brother’s face startled him, it was so white and drawn and hopeless.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
undressverbUS /ənˈdres/
get undressed
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
Vivi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘You look awfully cold, Vivi,’ he began.
VIVIAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VIVIAN CONQUERS.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
at the time that
From this reading WHEN Ronald returned from the nursery, some ten minutes later, he was surprised to find that the room was in darkness, and that Vivian had not begun to undress, for as a rule he was so quick in all his movements that he had expected to find him already in bed.
a Caucasian
From this reading As he lit the candles on the dressing-table the misery in his little brother’s face startled him, it was so white and drawn and hopeless.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘You look awfully cold, Vivi,’ he began.
