used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
(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 At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The occasion was one of deep and portentous significance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
BeechernounUS /ˈbiːtʃər/
United States clergyman who was a leader for the abolition of slavery (1813-1887)
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
BernardnounUS /bərˈnɑːrd/
French physiologist noted for research on secretions of the alimentary canal and the glycogenic function of the liver (1813-1878)
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His big, commanding figure bulked largely in the chair usually occupied by Colonel Hobin.
bulked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His big, commanding figure bulked largely in the chair usually occupied by Colonel Hobin.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His big, commanding figure bulked largely in the chair usually occupied by Colonel Hobin.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading His big, commanding figure bulked largely in the chair usually occupied by Colonel Hobin.
commandingadjectiveUS /kəˈmændɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading His big, commanding figure bulked largely in the chair usually occupied by Colonel Hobin.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The occasion was one of deep and portentous significance.
defences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
defensiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈfensɪv/
intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
elaborateadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæbrət/
marked by complexity and richness of detail
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
Elaine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
feminineadjectiveUS /ˈfemənən/
associated with women and not with men
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading His big, commanding figure bulked largely in the chair usually occupied by Colonel Hobin.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
General'snounUS /ˈdʒenərəlz/
possessive form of “general” — a general officer of the highest rank
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
Heatherpoint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His big, commanding figure bulked largely in the chair usually occupied by Colonel Hobin.
Hobin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His big, commanding figure bulked largely in the chair usually occupied by Colonel Hobin.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
instinctsnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/
plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
largelyadverbUS /ˈlɑːrdʒli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading His big, commanding figure bulked largely in the chair usually occupied by Colonel Hobin.
layman'snounUS /ˈleɪmənz/
possessive form of “layman” — someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
mapverbUS /mæp/
make a map of; show or establish the features of details of
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
mess-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
minutelyadverbUS /ˈmɪnətli/
in minute detail
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
Monmouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading The occasion was one of deep and portentous significance.
held or filled or in use
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The occasion was one of deep and portentous significance.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The occasion was one of deep and portentous significance.
Parkson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
particularisedadjective
directed toward a specific object
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
portentousadjectiveUS /pɔːrˈtentəs/
of momentous or ominous significance
From this reading The occasion was one of deep and portentous significance.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
signedadjectiveUS /saɪnd/
having a handwritten signature
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
significancenounUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
the quality of being significant
From this reading The occasion was one of deep and portentous significance.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
Treves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
undecipherableadjective
not easily deciphered
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
under normal conditions
From this reading His big, commanding figure bulked largely in the chair usually occupied by Colonel Hobin.
precisely as stated
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The occasion was one of deep and portentous significance.
at the time that
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
in or at the place that
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the very hour when Elaine received the strange letter signed "Bernard Treves," a letter which awoke all her defensive feminine instincts, John occupied a chair in the little mess-room at Heatherpoint Fort.
Whiston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At the head of the table, where Mrs. Beecher Monmouth had so recently taken tea with Lieutenant Parkson, General Whiston was seated in state.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Beneath the General’s eyes was a map of the South Coast defences—an elaborate, minutely particularised map, which in a layman’s eyes would have been almost undecipherable.
