used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
botherverbUS /ˈbɑːðər/
take the trouble to do something; concern oneself
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
bustlingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌsəlɪŋ/
full of energetic and noisy activity
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
departmentnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/
a specialized division of a large organization
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
energeticadjectiveUS /ˌenərˈdʒetɪk/
possessing or exerting or displaying energy
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
a social unit living together
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was Lammersfield who spoke first.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
Frinton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
fussyadjectiveUS /ˈfʌsi/
annoyed and irritable
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
grey-hairedadjective
showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Lammersfield who spoke first.
Lammersfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
Latimer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
come together
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
middle-agedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəleɪɡd/
being roughly between 45 and 65 years old
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
a particular point in time
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
an organization to gain political power
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
penetratingadjectiveUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
perturbedadjectiveUS /pərˈtɜːrbd/
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
pleasantlyadverbUS /ˈplezəntli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
with low volume
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
in a serious manner
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
term of address for a man
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading It was Lammersfield who spoke first.
strolledverbUS /stroʊld/
past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
Tommy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was followed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance at Tommy and me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one could see that he was seriously perturbed.
which person or people
From this reading He entered the room in an energetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to Lord Lammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton," he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do with your department I thought you ought to be present."
