used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
adequacynounUS /ˈædəkwəsi/
the quality of being able to meet a need satisfactorily: "he questioned the adequacy of the usual sentimental interpretation of the Golden Rule"
From this reading I recognized the adequacy of the wording."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
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 Mr. Bundercombe laid his hand compellingly on my arm.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
Bundercombe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Bundercombe laid his hand compellingly on my arm.
compellingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Bundercombe laid his hand compellingly on my arm.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading "That," I replied, "is the Earl of Porthoning."
in a serious manner
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Mr. Bundercombe laid his hand compellingly on my arm.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Bundercombe laid his hand compellingly on my arm.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
an instinctive motive
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
insectnounUS /ˈɪnsekt/
small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
irritationnounUS /ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That," I replied, "is the Earl of Porthoning."
set down according to a plan
From this reading Mr. Bundercombe laid his hand compellingly on my arm.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Bundercombe laid his hand compellingly on my arm.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Mr. Bundercombe laid his hand compellingly on my arm.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Bundercombe laid his hand compellingly on my arm.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
a human being
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
Porthoning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That," I replied, "is the Earl of Porthoning."
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading I recognized the adequacy of the wording."
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "That," I replied, "is the Earl of Porthoning."
cut with a saw
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
snarlverbUS /snɑːrl/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "That," I replied, "is the Earl of Porthoning."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
at the time that
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
Who's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My slight impulse of irritation at such a description applied to one of my wedding guests passed when I looked up and saw the person to whom Mr. Bundercombe had directed my attention.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
wizened-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Who's the wizened-up little insect, with a snarl on his face?" he inquired of me earnestly.
wordingnounUS /ˈwɜːrdɪŋ/
the manner in which something is expressed in words
From this reading I recognized the adequacy of the wording."
