used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
Alec
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
AlexandernounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændər/
European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
bachelornounUS /ˈbætʃələr/
a man who has never been married
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
ClarencenounUS /ˈklerəns/
a closed carriage with four wheels and seats for four passengers
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
club-man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
commentedverbUS /ˈkɑːmentəd/
past form of “comment” — make or write a comment on
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
contractionnounUS /kənˈtrækʃən/
(physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
conveniencenounUS /kənˈviːnjəns/
the state of being suitable or opportune
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
down-town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
being one more than seven
From this reading For eight years Sidwell had made them his home when he was in town.
eleventhadjectiveUS /ɪˈlevənθ/
coming next after the tenth and just before the twelfth in position
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
fixturenounUS /ˈfɪkstʃər/
an object firmly fixed in place (especially in a household)
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
FridaynounUS /ˈfraɪdi/
the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
HamiltonnounUS /ˈhæməltən/
Irish mathematician (1806-1865)
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
HAVEauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For eight years Sidwell had made them his home when he was in town.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
where you live at a particular time
From this reading For eight years Sidwell had made them his home when he was in town.
ignoredadjectiveUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːrd/
disregarded
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
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 The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading For eight years Sidwell had made them his home when he was in town.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
office-building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
protestedverbUS /prəˈtestɪd/
past form of “protest” — utter words of protest
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
except for; apart from
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
get by special effort
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
semi-colonial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
severedadjectiveUS /ˈsevərd/
detached by cutting
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
Sidwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
stewardnounUS /ˈstuːərd/
someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
termedverbUS /tɜːrmd/
past form of “term” — name formally or designate with a term
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading For eight years Sidwell had made them his home when he was in town.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
undersizedadjectiveUS /ˈʌndərsaɪzd/
smaller than normal for its kind
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
ValetnounUS /væˈleɪ/
a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
precisely as stated
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TWO FRIENDS HAVE IT OUT Clarence Sidwell was alone in his down-town bachelor quarters; that is, alone save for an individual the club-man's friends termed his "Man Friday," an undersized and very black negro named Alexander Hamilton Brown, but answering to the contraction "Alec."
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The rooms themselves were on the eleventh floor of a down-town office-building, as near the roof as it had been possible for him to secure suitable quarters.
at the time that
From this reading For eight years Sidwell had made them his home when he was in town.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Valet, man of all work, steward, Alec was as much a fixture about the place as the floor or the ceiling; and, like them, his presence, save as a convenience, was ignored.
a late time of life
From this reading For eight years Sidwell had made them his home when he was in town.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading The circle of his friends had commented, his mother and sisters (his father had been long dead) had protested, when, a much younger man, he first severed himself from the semi-colonial mansion which for three generations had borne the name of Sidwell; but as usual, he had had his own way.
