AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
bangingnounUS /ˈbæŋɪŋ/
a continuing very loud noise
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
buzzverbUS /bʌz/
make a buzzing sound
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
ceasedverbUS /siːst/
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
conflictnounUS /ˈkɑːnflɪkt/
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
consolationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈleɪʃən/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
CONVERSEverbUS /ˈkɑːnvərs/
carry on a conversation
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
convictionnounUS /kənˈvɪkʃən/
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
deafeningadjectiveUS /ˈdefənɪŋ/
loud enough to cause (temporary) hearing loss
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
deservedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrvd/
properly deserved
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
distressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstresɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
dueadjectiveUS /duː/
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
effortsnounUS /ˈefərts/
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading I was still in a state of nerves over the events of the morning.
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
foolnounUS /fuːl/
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
foolsnounUS /fuːlz/
plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/
a man of refinement
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
hammersnounUS /ˈhæmərz/
plural of “hammer” — the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
headachenounUS /ˈhedeɪk/
something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
hopingverbUS /ˈhoʊpɪŋ/
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
humournounUS /ˈhjuːmər/
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
industrynounUS /ˈɪndəstri/
the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
integritynounUS /ˌɪnˈteɡrəti/
an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
irritatingadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtɪŋ/
causing irritation or annoyance
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
lacknounUS /læk/
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
LateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
likelyadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪkli/
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
measurenounUS /ˈmeʒər/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
mistakenadjectiveUS /mɪˈsteɪkən/
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading I was still in a state of nerves over the events of the morning.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
MYSTERYnounUS /ˈmɪstəri/
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
nervesnounUS /nɜːrvz/
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading I was still in a state of nerves over the events of the morning.
noisenounUS /nɔɪz/
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
notwithstandingadverbUS /ˌnɑːtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I was still in a state of nerves over the events of the morning.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
poiseverbUS /pɔɪz/
be motionless, in suspension
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
rebuffverbUS /rɪˈbʌf/
reject outright and bluntly
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
reflectionnounUS /rɪˈflekʃən/
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
separateverbUS /ˈsepəreɪt/
act as a barrier between; stand between
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
shapenounUS /ʃeɪp/
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
shocknounUS /ʃɑːk/
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
sickeningadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkənɪŋ/
causing or able to cause nausea
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading I was still in a state of nerves over the events of the morning.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading I was still in a state of nerves over the events of the morning.
sufferedverbUS /ˈsʌfərd/
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading My headache, I think, was due in a large measure to the sickening fear that I had made a fool of myself, notwithstanding my efforts to make fools of them.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
visitorsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtərz/
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading There was but little consolation in the reflection that my irritating visitors deserved something in the shape of a rebuff; I could not separate myself from the conviction that my integrity as a gentleman had suffered in a mistaken conflict with humour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There had been a most distressing lack of poise on my part, and I couldn't help feeling after it was all over that my sense of humour had received a shock from which it was not likely to recover in a long time.
WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I CONVERSE WITH A MYSTERY Late in the afternoon, I opened my door, hoping that the banging of hammers and the buzz of industry would have ceased, but alas! the noise was even more deafening than before.
