adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Well--about that--” he began once, and came immediately to a full stop.
affairnounUS /əˈfer/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
askverbUS /æsk/
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
badenounUS /beɪd/
a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
brilliantlyadverbUS /ˈbrɪljəntli/
with brightness
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Well--about that--” he began once, and came immediately to a full stop.
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
chinnounUS /tʃɪn/
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
contemplationnounUS /ˌkɑːntəmˈpleɪʃən/
a long and thoughtful observation
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
documentsnounUS /ˈdɑːkjəmənts/
plural of “document” — writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
drawling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
fingersnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərz/
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
friendlyadjectiveUS /ˈfrendli/
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading “Well--about that--” he began once, and came immediately to a full stop.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
genialadjectiveUS /ˈdʒiːnjəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
illuminative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
immediatelyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmiːdiːətli/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading “Well--about that--” he began once, and came immediately to a full stop.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
interrogationsnounUS /ˌɪnterəˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “interrogation” — a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
mouthnounUS /maʊθ/
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
noddedverbUS /ˈnɑːdəd/
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
NowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
positionnounUS /pəˈzɪʃən/
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
questionsnounUS /ˈkwestʃənz/
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
reflectiveadjectiveUS /rɪˈflektɪv/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
remarkedverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkt/
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
roofnounUS /ruːf/
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
ruminatively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
satisfactorilyadverbUS /ˌsætɪˈsfæktrəli/
in a satisfactory manner
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
shoulderverbUS /ˈʃoʊldər/
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
sitverbUS /sɪt/
be seated
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
slowadjectiveUS /sloʊ/
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
smiledverbUS /smaɪld/
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
statementnounUS /ˈsteɪtmənt/
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
stopverbUS /stɑːp/
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading “Well--about that--” he began once, and came immediately to a full stop.
strokingnounUS /ˈstroʊkɪŋ/
a light touch with the hands
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
tarredverbUS /tɑːrd/
inflected form of “tar” — coat with tar
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
tiltedadjectiveUS /ˈtɪltɪd/
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
unlightedadjective
not set afire or burning
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
WelladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Well--about that--” he began once, and came immediately to a full stop.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
whollyadverbUS /ˈhoʊli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
window-sill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found him looking over some documents in his office; a reflective, unlighted cigar in the corner of his mouth; his chair tilted back and his feet on a window-sill.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I began at once to put the questions I was told to ask him--interrogations (he seemed to believe) satisfactorily answered by slowly and ruminatively stroking the left side of his chin with two long fingers of his right hand, the while he smiled in genial contemplation of a tarred roof beyond the window.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He nodded, upon my statement of the affair that brought me, and, without shifting his position, gave me a look of slow but wholly friendly scrutiny over his shoulder, and bade me sit down.
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Now and then he would give me a mild and drawling word or two, not brilliantly illuminative, it may be remarked.
