used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
matters of personal concern
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading As the afternoon waned Bob tried to analyze the character of the other clerks in the office.
(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 Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
a quantity of money
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
analyzeverbUS /ˈænəlaɪz/
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading As the afternoon waned Bob tried to analyze the character of the other clerks in the office.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
casuallyadverbUS /ˈkæʒəwəli/
not methodically or according to plan
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading As the afternoon waned Bob tried to analyze the character of the other clerks in the office.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading As the afternoon waned Bob tried to analyze the character of the other clerks in the office.
contemplatedverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪd/
past form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
desksnounUS /desks/
plural of “desk” — a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
filingnounUS /ˈfaɪlɪŋ/
the entering of a legal document into the public record
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
in a gradual manner
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
located inward
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
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 Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
mêlée
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
on one occasion
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading As the afternoon waned Bob tried to analyze the character of the other clerks in the office.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
probeverbUS /proʊb/
question or examine thoroughly and closely
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
on the contrary
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
restoredverbUS /rɪˈstɔːrd/
past form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
carry out
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
tediousadjectiveUS /ˈtiːdiəs/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading As the afternoon waned Bob tried to analyze the character of the other clerks in the office.
TullynounUS /ˈtʌli/
a Roman statesman and orator remembered for his mastery of Latin prose (106-43 BC)
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
wanedverbUS /weɪnd/
past form of “wane” — grow smaller
From this reading As the afternoon waned Bob tried to analyze the character of the other clerks in the office.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The affairs of the filing office gradually returned to routine with Bob and Tully once more at their desks.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, for hundreds upon hundreds of papers had been removed from their usual places in the mêlée of the night before.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Bob realized that it would take days for them all to be restored to their places and he rather hoped, as he contemplated the long and tedious task, that his uncle would have work for him to do that would take him outside the office.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading He had known them casually for more than a year now, but until this time he had never really tried to probe into their inner characters.
