used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
(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 Lady Helen would not put in an appearance until lunch time, and I therefore would have the morning all to myself.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Lady Helen would not put in an appearance until lunch time, and I therefore would have the morning all to myself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
any person at all
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Lady Helen would not put in an appearance until lunch time, and I therefore would have the morning all to myself.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading To my astonishment, however, both Lady Helen and my father were there.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/
plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
the two together, not just one
From this reading To my astonishment, however, both Lady Helen and my father were there.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
breakfast-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
eventfuladjectiveUS /ɪˈventfəl/
full of events or incidents
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
usually; as a rule
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Lady Helen would not put in an appearance until lunch time, and I therefore would have the morning all to myself.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading To my astonishment, however, both Lady Helen and my father were there.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Lady Helen would not put in an appearance until lunch time, and I therefore would have the morning all to myself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
invariablyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbli/
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
take the midday meal
From this reading Lady Helen would not put in an appearance until lunch time, and I therefore would have the morning all to myself.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Lady Helen would not put in an appearance until lunch time, and I therefore would have the morning all to myself.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Lady Helen would not put in an appearance until lunch time, and I therefore would have the morning all to myself.
something you have to do
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
operanounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Lady Helen would not put in an appearance until lunch time, and I therefore would have the morning all to myself.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
sleeplessadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpləs/
experiencing or accompanied by sleeplessness
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
suppersnounUS /ˈsʌpərz/
plural of “supper” — a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
in or at that place or location
From this reading To my astonishment, however, both Lady Helen and my father were there.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Lady Helen would not put in an appearance until lunch time, and I therefore would have the morning all to myself.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Lady Helen would not put in an appearance until lunch time, and I therefore would have the morning all to myself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Lady Helen would not put in an appearance until lunch time, and I therefore would have the morning all to myself.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading After that eventful day and after that almost sleepless night, I was quite certain that I should not find anyone waiting for me in the breakfast-room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To my astonishment, however, both Lady Helen and my father were there.
at the time that
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Lady Helen went to the opera or the theatre, or to special balls or suppers, she invariably was late for breakfast the next morning, and on these occasions my father generally had his breakfast with her in her bedroom.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
worldlyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrldli/
characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world
From this reading They looked at me when I came in, my father with anxiety and affection, Lady Helen with a world of meaning in her knowing, worldly old face.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Lady Helen would not put in an appearance until lunch time, and I therefore would have the morning all to myself.
