used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
acknowledgesverbUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒɪz/
third-person singular of “acknowledge” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading He acknowledges my presence with a nod--and that is all.
(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 He acknowledges my presence with a nod--and that is all.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
attendantnounUS /əˈtendənt/
someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
From this reading "Doctor's back in the laboratory," smiles the white-uniformed attendant, as she grasps my identity.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "Doctor's back in the laboratory," smiles the white-uniformed attendant, as she grasps my identity.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
next to; at the side of
From this reading On a tall stool, beside the laboratory lathe, sits Sandford, hard at work.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
Doctor'snounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading "Doctor's back in the laboratory," smiles the white-uniformed attendant, as she grasps my identity.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
elevatornounUS /ˈeləveɪtər/
lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
enamelnounUS /ɪˈnæməl/
hard white substance covering the crown of a tooth
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
to come or go into
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
fifthnounUS /fɪfθ/
a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
glistens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
graspsnounUS /ɡræsps/
plural of “grasp” — understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
From this reading "Doctor's back in the laboratory," smiles the white-uniformed attendant, as she grasps my identity.
half-block
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading On a tall stool, beside the laboratory lathe, sits Sandford, hard at work.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He acknowledges my presence with a nod--and that is all.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
identitynounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/
the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
From this reading "Doctor's back in the laboratory," smiles the white-uniformed attendant, as she grasps my identity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Doctor's back in the laboratory," smiles the white-uniformed attendant, as she grasps my identity.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He acknowledges my presence with a nod--and that is all.
laboratorynounUS /ˈlæbrətɔːri/
a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
From this reading "Doctor's back in the laboratory," smiles the white-uniformed attendant, as she grasps my identity.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
lathenounUS /leɪð/
machine tool for shaping metal or wood; the workpiece turns about a horizontal axis against a fixed tool
From this reading On a tall stool, beside the laboratory lathe, sits Sandford, hard at work.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
nodverbUS /nɑːd/
express or signify by nodding
From this reading He acknowledges my presence with a nod--and that is all.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading He acknowledges my presence with a nod--and that is all.
one of four equal parts
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
Sandford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a tall stool, beside the laboratory lathe, sits Sandford, hard at work.
Sandford's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
scrubbedadjectiveUS /skrʌbd/
made clean by scrubbing
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Doctor's back in the laboratory," smiles the white-uniformed attendant, as she grasps my identity.
sheepishlyadverbUS /ˈʃiːpɪʃli/
in a sheepish manner
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
sitsverbUS /sɪts/
third-person singular of “sit” — be seated
From this reading On a tall stool, beside the laboratory lathe, sits Sandford, hard at work.
move stealthily
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
smilesnounUS /smaɪlz/
plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading "Doctor's back in the laboratory," smiles the white-uniformed attendant, as she grasps my identity.
stoolnounUS /stuːl/
a simple seat without a back or arms
From this reading On a tall stool, beside the laboratory lathe, sits Sandford, hard at work.
carry out
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading On a tall stool, beside the laboratory lathe, sits Sandford, hard at work.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He acknowledges my presence with a nod--and that is all.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
tilingnoun
the application of tiles to cover a surface
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
very small
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading At a quarter of twelve o'clock a week later, I slip out of my office sheepishly, and, walking a half-block, take the elevator to the fifth floor of the Exchange Building, on the corner.
a Caucasian
From this reading The white enamel of Sandford's tiny box of an office glistens, as I enter the door, and the tiling looks fresh and clean, as though scrubbed an hour before.
white-uniformed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Doctor's back in the laboratory," smiles the white-uniformed attendant, as she grasps my identity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He acknowledges my presence with a nod--and that is all.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading On a tall stool, beside the laboratory lathe, sits Sandford, hard at work.
