used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
AlfrednounUS /ˈælfrəd/
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading "Not half, Alfred."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Are there, then, still Trades Unions?" asked the Angel.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "No, indeed," replied his dragoman; "but there are Committees.
CommitteesnounUS /kəˈmɪtiz/
plural of “committee” — a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading "No, indeed," replied his dragoman; "but there are Committees.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
diluteverbUS /daɪˈluːt/
lessen the strength or flavor of a solution or mixture
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
dragomannoun
an interpreter and guide in the Near East
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
exhibitionnounUS /ˌeksəˈbɪʃən/
the act of exhibiting
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading "Not half, Alfred."
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading "No, indeed," replied his dragoman; "but there are Committees.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
masterlyadjectiveUS /ˈmæstərli/
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
not any; not one
From this reading "No, indeed," replied his dragoman; "but there are Committees.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Not half, Alfred."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "No, indeed," replied his dragoman; "but there are Committees.
rulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
term of address for a man
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
not in physical motion
From this reading "Are there, then, still Trades Unions?" asked the Angel.
strictadjectiveUS /strɪkt/
rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Here the Angel paused, and let his hand move for one second in a masterly exhibition of activity.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Are there, then, still Trades Unions?" asked the Angel.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Are there, then, still Trades Unions?" asked the Angel.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
TradesnounUS /treɪdz/
plural of “trade” — the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading "Are there, then, still Trades Unions?" asked the Angel.
UnionsnounUS /ˈjuːnjənz/
plural of “union” — an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading "Are there, then, still Trades Unions?" asked the Angel.
precisely as stated
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "It is doubtful, sir," said his dragoman, "whether you would be permitted to dilute your conversation with so much labour in these days; the rules are very strict."
