adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
arrangedadjectiveUS /ərˈeɪndʒd/
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
basketsnounUS /ˈbæskəts/
plural of “basket” — a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading Fuji, who was pensive, recalled the five loaves and two fishes that produced twelve baskets of fragments.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
butler'snounUS /ˈbʌtlərz/
possessive form of “butler” — a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
chairsnounUS /tʃerz/
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
cleanernounUS /ˈkliːnər/
a preparation used in cleaning something
From this reading The vacuum cleaner got clogged by a surfeit of crumbs.
cloggedadjectiveUS /klɔːɡd/
thickened or coalesced in soft thick lumps (such as clogs or clots)
From this reading The vacuum cleaner got clogged by a surfeit of crumbs.
complainverbUS /kəmˈpleɪn/
express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
crumbsnounUS /krʌmz/
plural of “crumb” — a very small quantity of something
From this reading The vacuum cleaner got clogged by a surfeit of crumbs.
desertverbUS /ˈdezərt/
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
dutiesnounUS /ˈduːtiz/
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
enigmanounUS /ɪˈnɪɡmə/
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
feedingnounUS /ˈfiːdɪŋ/
the act of consuming food
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
fishesnounUS /ˈfɪʃəz/
plural of “fish” — any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading Fuji, who was pensive, recalled the five loaves and two fishes that produced twelve baskets of fragments.
fivenounUS /faɪv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Fuji, who was pensive, recalled the five loaves and two fishes that produced twelve baskets of fragments.
fragmentsnounUS /ˈfræɡmənts/
plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else
From this reading Fuji, who was pensive, recalled the five loaves and two fishes that produced twelve baskets of fragments.
FujinounUS /ˈfuːdʒi/
shrubby Japanese cherry tree having pale pink blossoms
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
generouslyadverbUS /ˈdʒenərəsli/
in a generous manner
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
Gissing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The vacuum cleaner got clogged by a surfeit of crumbs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
loavesnounUS /loʊvz/
plural of “loaf” — a shaped mass of baked bread that is usually sliced before eating
From this reading Fuji, who was pensive, recalled the five loaves and two fishes that produced twelve baskets of fragments.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
mealnounUS /miːl/
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
milknounUS /mɪlk/
a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
multitudenounUS /ˈmʌltətuːd/
a large indefinite number
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
oilclothnoun
cloth treated on one side with a drying oil or synthetic resin
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
particularlyadverbUS /ˌpɑːrˈtɪkjələrli/
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
pensiveadjectiveUS /ˈpensɪv/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading Fuji, who was pensive, recalled the five loaves and two fishes that produced twelve baskets of fragments.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
pliedverbUS /plaɪd/
inflected form of “ply” — give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
producedverbUS /prəˈduːst/
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading Fuji, who was pensive, recalled the five loaves and two fishes that produced twelve baskets of fragments.
prune-juice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
puppiesnounUS /ˈpʌpiz/
plural of “puppy” — a young dog
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
recalledverbUS /rɪˈkɔːld/
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Fuji, who was pensive, recalled the five loaves and two fishes that produced twelve baskets of fragments.
rugnounUS /rʌɡ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
scuppersnounUS /ˈskʌpərz/
plural of “scupper” — drain that allows water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
spatteringnounUS /ˈspætərɪŋ/
the noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
spindriftnoun
spray blown up from the surface of the sea
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
spitenounUS /spaɪt/
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
spoonsnounUS /spuːnz/
plural of “spoon” — a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
surfeitverbUS /ˈsɜːrfət/
supply or feed to surfeit
From this reading The vacuum cleaner got clogged by a surfeit of crumbs.
surroundedadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪd/
confined on all sides
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
twelvenounUS /twelv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Fuji, who was pensive, recalled the five loaves and two fishes that produced twelve baskets of fragments.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Fuji, who was pensive, recalled the five loaves and two fishes that produced twelve baskets of fragments.
underneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/
directly under, often hidden by what is above
From this reading Fuji had arranged a series of scuppers, made of oilcloth, underneath the chairs; but in spite of this the dining-room rug, after a meal, looked much as the desert place must have after the feeding of the multitude.
vacuumnounUS /ˈvækjuːm/
the absence of matter
From this reading The vacuum cleaner got clogged by a surfeit of crumbs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Fuji, who was pensive, recalled the five loaves and two fishes that produced twelve baskets of fragments.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
worriedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrid/
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading What worried him most was the fear that Fuji would complain of this sudden addition to his duties.
youngstersnounUS /ˈjʌŋstərz/
plural of “youngster” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The butler's face was rather an enigma, particularly at meal times, when Gissing sat at the dinner table surrounded by the three puppies in their high chairs, with a spindrift of milk and prune-juice spattering generously as the youngsters plied their spoons.
