used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was a very dull, serious room, almost depressing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
eagerly desirous
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
briefsnounUS /briːfs/
(used in the plural) short tight-fitting underpants (trade name Jockey shorts)
From this reading On the large table lay bulbous important-looking briefs, tied up with red tape.
bulbousadjectiveUS /ˈbʌlbəs/
shaped like a bulb
From this reading On the large table lay bulbous important-looking briefs, tied up with red tape.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
chambersnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərz/
English architect (1723-1796)
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
depressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈpresɪŋ/
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading It was a very dull, serious room, almost depressing.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He waited there for some minutes, walking slowly up and down the room and examining it.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading It was a very dull, serious room, almost depressing.
examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading He waited there for some minutes, walking slowly up and down the room and examining it.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He waited there for some minutes, walking slowly up and down the room and examining it.
coins made of gold
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
important-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the large table lay bulbous important-looking briefs, tied up with red tape.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He waited there for some minutes, walking slowly up and down the room and examining it.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On the large table lay bulbous important-looking briefs, tied up with red tape.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading On the large table lay bulbous important-looking briefs, tied up with red tape.
middle-agedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəleɪɡd/
being roughly between 45 and 65 years old
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading He waited there for some minutes, walking slowly up and down the room and examining it.
a particular point in time
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
Nigel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the large table lay bulbous important-looking briefs, tied up with red tape.
Percy'snounUS /ˈpɜːrsiz/
possessive form of “percy” — United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
prosperous-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
punctuallyadverb
at the expected or proper time
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
on the contrary
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading On the large table lay bulbous important-looking briefs, tied up with red tape.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He waited there for some minutes, walking slowly up and down the room and examining it.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading It was a very dull, serious room, almost depressing.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading He waited there for some minutes, walking slowly up and down the room and examining it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He waited there for some minutes, walking slowly up and down the room and examining it.
dependable
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading On the large table lay bulbous important-looking briefs, tied up with red tape.
tapenounUS /teɪp/
a long thin piece of cloth or paper as used for binding or fastening
From this reading On the large table lay bulbous important-looking briefs, tied up with red tape.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He waited there for some minutes, walking slowly up and down the room and examining it.
bound or secured closely
From this reading On the large table lay bulbous important-looking briefs, tied up with red tape.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He waited there for some minutes, walking slowly up and down the room and examining it.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was a very dull, serious room, almost depressing.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading He waited there for some minutes, walking slowly up and down the room and examining it.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading He waited there for some minutes, walking slowly up and down the room and examining it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
watch-chain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was shown into Percy's chambers by a stout and prosperous-looking middle-aged clerk, with a gold watch-chain.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN INTERVIEW Nigel, filled with curiosity, and rather anxious, arrived punctually to the moment.
