used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
abominationnounUS /əˌbɑːməˈneɪʃən/
a person who is loathsome or disgusting
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading I answered his anxious enquiries by assuring him I was well.
eagerly desirous
From this reading I answered his anxious enquiries by assuring him I was well.
arm'snounUS /ɑːrmz/
possessive form of “arm” — a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Now I could realise him as my old friend--and keep him at arm’s length.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Now I could realise him as my old friend--and keep him at arm’s length.
assuringadjectiveUS /əˈʃʊrɪŋ/
giving confidence
From this reading I answered his anxious enquiries by assuring him I was well.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now I could realise him as my old friend--and keep him at arm’s length.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
Brogden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I answered his anxious enquiries by assuring him I was well.
civiliannounUS /səˈvɪljən/
a nonmilitary citizen
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Now I could realise him as my old friend--and keep him at arm’s length.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
enquiries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I answered his anxious enquiries by assuring him I was well.
etiquettenounUS /ˈetəkət/
rules governing socially acceptable behavior
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
accept an excuse for
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
exoticadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɑːtɪk/
being or from or characteristic of another place or part of the world
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Now I could realise him as my old friend--and keep him at arm’s length.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
not accessible to view
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
indispositionnoun
a slight illness
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
the act of departing
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Now I could realise him as my old friend--and keep him at arm’s length.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Now I could realise him as my old friend--and keep him at arm’s length.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now I could realise him as my old friend--and keep him at arm’s length.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Now I could realise him as my old friend--and keep him at arm’s length.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
realiseverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪz/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading Now I could realise him as my old friend--and keep him at arm’s length.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
REVOLVERnounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
required or under orders
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
tarbooshnoun
a felt cap (usually red) for a man; shaped like a flat-topped cone with a tassel that hangs from the crown
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
the act of using
From this reading But I intended, however, to remain on guard over the abomination hidden in my room, and I made use of my supposed indisposition as an excuse for not leaving the hotel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I HANDLE A REVOLVER It was somehow a relief to me to find Brogden in a suit of civilian linen.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading I answered his anxious enquiries by assuring him I was well.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His exotic uniform, and the tarboosh which etiquette compelled him to keep on his head throughout the evening, had increased his effect of a figure in a bad dream.
