adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The inspector sat at his desk, yawning after a night which had passed without an arrest.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The inspector sat at his desk, yawning after a night which had passed without an arrest.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
arrestverbUS /ərˈest/
take into custody
From this reading The inspector sat at his desk, yawning after a night which had passed without an arrest.
ARRIVESverbUS /ərˈaɪvz/
third-person singular of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The inspector sat at his desk, yawning after a night which had passed without an arrest.
bareadjectiveUS /ber/
completely unclothed
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was waiting to be relieved.
benchnounUS /bentʃ/
a long seat for more than one person
From this reading The policeman at the door and the two policemen sitting on a bench by the wall yawned in sympathy.
brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
crimenounUS /kraɪm/
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
criminalsnounUS /ˈkrɪmənəlz/
plural of “criminal” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
desknounUS /desk/
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading The inspector sat at his desk, yawning after a night which had passed without an arrest.
detailsnounUS /dɪˈteɪlz/
true confidential information
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
dingyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪndʒi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The policeman at the door and the two policemen sitting on a bench by the wall yawned in sympathy.
DUKEnounUS /duːk/
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
furniturenounUS /ˈfɜːrnɪtʃər/
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
gloomyadjectiveUS /ˈɡluːmi/
depressingly dark
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
greyadjectiveUS /ɡreɪ/
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The inspector sat at his desk, yawning after a night which had passed without an arrest.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was waiting to be relieved.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The inspector sat at his desk, yawning after a night which had passed without an arrest.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
inspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading The inspector sat at his desk, yawning after a night which had passed without an arrest.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
keepingnounUS /ˈkiːpɪŋ/
conformity or harmony
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
motor-car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silence of the street was broken by the rattle of an uncommonly noisy motor-car.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The inspector sat at his desk, yawning after a night which had passed without an arrest.
noisyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔɪzi/
full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
From this reading The silence of the street was broken by the rattle of an uncommonly noisy motor-car.
notice-boards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
offeredverbUS /ˈɔːfərd/
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The policeman at the door and the two policemen sitting on a bench by the wall yawned in sympathy.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The inspector sat at his desk, yawning after a night which had passed without an arrest.
pinnedverbUS /pɪnd/
inflected form of “pin” — to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
police-station
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
policemannounUS /pəˈliːsmən/
a member of a police force
From this reading The policeman at the door and the two policemen sitting on a bench by the wall yawned in sympathy.
policemennounUS /pəˈliːsmɪn/
plural of “policeman” — a member of a police force
From this reading The policeman at the door and the two policemen sitting on a bench by the wall yawned in sympathy.
portraitsnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrəts/
plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
presentedverbUS /priˈzentɪd/
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading The silence of the street was broken by the rattle of an uncommonly noisy motor-car.
relievedadjectiveUS /rɪˈliːvd/
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading He was waiting to be relieved.
rewardnounUS /rɪˈwɔːrd/
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The inspector sat at his desk, yawning after a night which had passed without an arrest.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The silence of the street was broken by the rattle of an uncommonly noisy motor-car.
sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The policeman at the door and the two policemen sitting on a bench by the wall yawned in sympathy.
sordidadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːrdəd/
morally degraded
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
streetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The silence of the street was broken by the rattle of an uncommonly noisy motor-car.
sympathynounUS /ˈsɪmpəθi/
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading The policeman at the door and the two policemen sitting on a bench by the wall yawned in sympathy.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The policeman at the door and the two policemen sitting on a bench by the wall yawned in sympathy.
uncommonlyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːmənli/
exceptionally
From this reading The silence of the street was broken by the rattle of an uncommonly noisy motor-car.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading He was waiting to be relieved.
wallnounUS /wɔːl/
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The policeman at the door and the two policemen sitting on a bench by the wall yawned in sympathy.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
white-washed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE DUKE ARRIVES The morning was gloomy, and the police-station with its bare, white-washed walls—their white expanse was only broken by notice-boards to which were pinned portraits of criminals with details of their appearance, their crime, and the reward offered for their apprehension—with its shabby furniture, and its dingy fireplace, presented a dismal and sordid appearance entirely in keeping with the September grey.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The inspector sat at his desk, yawning after a night which had passed without an arrest.
yawnedverbUS /jɔːnd/
past form of “yawn” — utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired
From this reading The policeman at the door and the two policemen sitting on a bench by the wall yawned in sympathy.
yawningadjectiveUS /ˈjɔːnɪŋ/
gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something
From this reading The inspector sat at his desk, yawning after a night which had passed without an arrest.
