used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
activitiesnounUS /ækˈtɪvətiz/
plural of “activity” — any specific behavior
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
(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 Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
bachelornounUS /ˈbætʃələr/
a man who has never been married
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He looked like a walking secret, and was a big, pallid man, with high cheek-bones and a grim, hard mouth.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
of short duration or distance
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
cheek-bones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked like a walking secret, and was a big, pallid man, with high cheek-bones and a grim, hard mouth.
without stop or interruption
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
Dacent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
departmentnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/
a specialized division of a large organization
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
devisedverbUS /dɪˈvaɪzd/
past form of “devise” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
without deviation
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
discretionnounUS /dɪˈskreʃən/
freedom to act or judge on one's own
From this reading Dacent Smith’s man-servant was discretion itself.
documentsnounUS /ˈdɑːkjəmənts/
plural of “document” — writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
at any time
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
the act of departing
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading He looked like a walking secret, and was a big, pallid man, with high cheek-bones and a grim, hard mouth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading He looked like a walking secret, and was a big, pallid man, with high cheek-bones and a grim, hard mouth.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He looked like a walking secret, and was a big, pallid man, with high cheek-bones and a grim, hard mouth.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
indirectlyadverbUS /ˌɪndərˈektliː/
not in a forthright manner
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Dacent Smith’s man-servant was discretion itself.
Jermyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He looked like a walking secret, and was a big, pallid man, with high cheek-bones and a grim, hard mouth.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked like a walking secret, and was a big, pallid man, with high cheek-bones and a grim, hard mouth.
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
luxuriousadjectiveUS /ləɡˈʒɜːriəs/
displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He looked like a walking secret, and was a big, pallid man, with high cheek-bones and a grim, hard mouth.
man-servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
master'snounUS /ˈmæstərz/
possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading He looked like a walking secret, and was a big, pallid man, with high cheek-bones and a grim, hard mouth.
multitudinousadjective
too numerous to be counted
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
not any; not one
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
pallidadjectiveUS /ˈpæləd/
abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress
From this reading He looked like a walking secret, and was a big, pallid man, with high cheek-bones and a grim, hard mouth.
by chance
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
relatingverbUS /rɪˈleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “relate” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading He looked like a walking secret, and was a big, pallid man, with high cheek-bones and a grim, hard mouth.
Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
Smith'snounUS /smɪθs/
possessive form of “smith” — Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading Dacent Smith’s man-servant was discretion itself.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
torturesnounUS /ˈtɔːrtʃərz/
plural of “torture” — extreme mental distress
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
someone who visits
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading He looked like a walking secret, and was a big, pallid man, with high cheek-bones and a grim, hard mouth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dacent Smith, busy in his luxurious bachelor apartments in Jermyn Street, was going through a pile of documents, all relating directly or indirectly to the multitudinous activities of his department.
at the time that
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He looked like a walking secret, and was a big, pallid man, with high cheek-bones and a grim, hard mouth.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He had continued his work for, perhaps, half an hour after his brief luncheon interval when the man-servant entered and announced a visitor.
wormed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was devoted body and soul to Dacent Smith, and no tortures ever devised could have ever wormed a word from him of his master’s activities.
