10
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But within the historic room where the Cabinet were seated about the long table all was calm.
(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 The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But within the historic room where the Cabinet were seated about the long table all was calm.
butterfliesnounUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪz/
plural of “butterfly” — diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
CabinetnounUS /ˈkæbənət/
a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
From this reading But within the historic room where the Cabinet were seated about the long table all was calm.
make calm or still
From this reading But within the historic room where the Cabinet were seated about the long table all was calm.
ChancellornounUS /ˈtʃænsələr/
the British cabinet minister responsible for finance
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
conferencenounUS /ˈkɑːnfərəns/
a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
demeanournounUS /dɪˈmiːnər/
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
DowningnounUS /ˈdaʊnɪŋ/
United States landscape architect who designed the grounds of the White House and the Capitol Building (1815-1852)
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
EmpirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
ExchequernounUS /ˈekstʃekər/
the funds of a government or institution or individual
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
fixingnounUS /ˈfɪksɪŋ/
the act of putting something in working order again
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
historicadjectiveUS /hɪˈstɔːrɪk/
belonging to the past; of what is important or famous in the past
From this reading But within the historic room where the Cabinet were seated about the long table all was calm.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
IrelandnounUS /ˈaɪərlənd/
a republic consisting of 26 of 32 counties comprising the island of Ireland; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1921
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading But within the historic room where the Cabinet were seated about the long table all was calm.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
needleworknounUS /ˈniːdəlwɜːrk/
a creation created or assembled by needle and thread
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
not any; not one
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
PrimeadjectiveUS /praɪm/
first in rank or degree
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
with low volume
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading But within the historic room where the Cabinet were seated about the long table all was calm.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading But within the historic room where the Cabinet were seated about the long table all was calm.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
standstillnounUS /ˈstændstɪl/
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
statesmennounUS /ˈsteɪtsmɪn/
plural of “statesman” — a man who is a respected leader in national or international affairs
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading But within the historic room where the Cabinet were seated about the long table all was calm.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading Few could have guessed from the quiet demeanour of the group of statesmen that the fate of an Empire hung by a thread.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
troutnounUS /traʊt/
flesh of any of several primarily freshwater game and food fishes
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Beside him the Secretary for Ireland was fixing trout flies, while the Chancellor of the Exchequer kept his serene face bent over upon his needlework.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The crowd outside of No. 10 Downing Street that evening was so dense that all traffic was at a standstill.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But within the historic room where the Cabinet were seated about the long table all was calm.
in or at the place that
From this reading But within the historic room where the Cabinet were seated about the long table all was calm.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Seated at the head of the table, the Prime Minister was quietly looking over a book of butterflies, while waiting for the conference to begin.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading But within the historic room where the Cabinet were seated about the long table all was calm.
