used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "A white tie to-night, Staff?
absentlyadverb
in an absentminded or preoccupied manner
From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
any thing at all
From this reading Anything on?"
approvalnounUS /əˈpruːvəl/
the formal act of approving
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
blandadjectiveUS /blænd/
lacking taste or flavor or tang
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
easy-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
divisible by two
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
HowardnounUS /ˈhaʊərd/
English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
IdanounUS /ˈaɪdə/
an agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
Measom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Anything on?"
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
on the contrary
From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
StaffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading "A white tie to-night, Staff?
Stafford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
surveyedverbUS /sərˈveɪd/
past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
express in words
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.
tienounUS /taɪ/
neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading "A white tie to-night, Staff?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A white tie to-night, Staff?
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
a Caucasian
From this reading "A white tie to-night, Staff?
which person or people
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
showing curiosity
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.
