1864
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
Archibald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
bristlyadjective
very irritable
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
Bulwer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
cheese-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
combedadjectiveUS /koʊmd/
(of hair) made tidy with a comb
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
Corbin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading THE DE VINNE PRESS.
DESTINYnounUS /ˈdestəni/
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
having the place or position changed
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
ETC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
apart from; not including
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
hair-dressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
heroesnounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/
plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
invincibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪnsəbəl/
incapable of being overcome or subdued
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
JARVIS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
a room where books are kept
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
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 The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
a female domestic
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
MARIANadjectiveUS /ˈmeriən/
of or relating to or venerating the Virgin Mary
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
MARSAC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
mustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
not any; not one
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
placiditynoun
a feeling of calmness; a quiet and undisturbed feeling
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
placidlyadverbUS /ˈplæsɪdli/
in a quiet and tranquil manner
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading THE DE VINNE PRESS.
on the contrary
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
rumorsnounUS /ˈruːmərz/
plural of “rumor” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
shavenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪvən/
having the beard or hair cut off close to the skin
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
SpectatornounUS /ˈspekteɪtər/
a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
SPRIGHTLYadjectiveUS /ˈspraɪtli/
full of spirit and vitality
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
sunnyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌni/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AUTHOR OF “THE SPRIGHTLY ROMANCE OF MARSAC,” “CHILDREN OF DESTINY,” “MAID MARIAN AND OTHER STORIES” “LITTLE JARVIS,” ETC.
VINNE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DE VINNE PRESS.
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading One sunny November day, in 1864, Colonel Archibald Corbin sat placidly reading “The Spectator” in the shabby old library at Corbin Hall, in Virginia.
warsnounUS /wɔːrz/
plural of “war” — the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
at the time that
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
a Caucasian
From this reading The Colonel had a fine, pale old face, clean shaven, except for a bristly, white mustache, and his white hair, which was rather long, was combed back in the fashion of the days when Bulwer’s heroes set the style for hair-dressing.
which person or people
From this reading The Colonel--who was no more a colonel than he was a cheese-box--had an invincible placidity, which could not be disturbed by wars or rumors of wars.
