used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
(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 They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
apparelnounUS /əˈpærəl/
clothing in general
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
from appearances alone
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
brushesnounUS /ˈbrʌʃɪz/
plural of “brush” — a dense growth of bushes
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
Chandos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
clothing in general
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
combsnounUS /koʊmz/
plural of “comb” — a flat device with narrow pointed teeth on one edge; disentangles or arranges hair
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
gotten under control
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/
past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
dressing-case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
divisible by two
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
the organ of sight
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
death of a person
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
half-a-dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
illogicaladjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/
lacking in correct logical relation
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
inkstandnoun
a small well holding writing ink into which a pen can be dipped
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
and nothing more
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
Lockwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
engage in
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
placingverbUS /ˈpleɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
richlyadverbUS /ˈrɪtʃli/
to an ample degree or in an ample manner
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
rollernounUS /ˈroʊlər/
a grounder that rolls along the infield
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
shirtsnounUS /ʃɜːrts/
plural of “shirt” — a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
spongeverbUS /spʌndʒ/
wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
sternnessnounUS /ˈstɜːrnnəs/
the quality (as of scenery) being grim and gloomy and forbidding
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
unfoldverbUS /ənˈfoʊld/
develop or come to a promising stage
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
well-cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He opened it, displayed the few articles it contained--half-a-dozen shirts, a suit of fashionable, well-cut clothes, with some combs and brushes, a small inkstand, and a roller dressing-case, richly mounted with silver.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
wetted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
at the time that
From this reading His eye was resting steadily upon one of the shirts, when Lockwood came in, with a face grave even to sternness, and an open letter in his hand, apparently just received.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Chandos took the bundle and went with it into the neighbouring room, on which the little sunshine that autumn had left was shining.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading They were all as wet as water could make them; and he proceeded to unfold the various articles of apparel, placing them one by one over the backs of the wooden chairs.
but in spite of that
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Here, you had better dry the things in the bundle," said Lockwood, "for they are as wet as a sponge--but that is a very illogical figure; for though a sponge may be wetted, yet a sponge need not always be wet."
