used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading There was nothing to cause suspicion in the appearance of an elderly man who evidently was a lover of art.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading There was nothing to cause suspicion in the appearance of an elderly man who evidently was a lover of art.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading He thanked the woman at the desk and ascended the stairs, passing the close scrutiny of the guards and the police stationed there.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading At the information desk, he asked concerning a certain painting, and was directed to the second floor.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the information desk, he asked concerning a certain painting, and was directed to the second floor.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading There was nothing to cause suspicion in the appearance of an elderly man who evidently was a lover of art.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading At the information desk, he asked concerning a certain painting, and was directed to the second floor.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading He thanked the woman at the desk and ascended the stairs, passing the close scrutiny of the guards and the police stationed there.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading At the information desk, he asked concerning a certain painting, and was directed to the second floor.
culturenounUS /ˈkʌltʃər/
a particular society at a particular time and place
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading At the information desk, he asked concerning a certain painting, and was directed to the second floor.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading At the information desk, he asked concerning a certain painting, and was directed to the second floor.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading There was nothing to cause suspicion in the appearance of an elderly man who evidently was a lover of art.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading At the information desk, he asked concerning a certain painting, and was directed to the second floor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
set up or found
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
a man of refinement
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading He thanked the woman at the desk and ascended the stairs, passing the close scrutiny of the guards and the police stationed there.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the information desk, he asked concerning a certain painting, and was directed to the second floor.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was nothing to cause suspicion in the appearance of an elderly man who evidently was a lover of art.
a message received and understood
From this reading At the information desk, he asked concerning a certain painting, and was directed to the second floor.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading There was nothing to cause suspicion in the appearance of an elderly man who evidently was a lover of art.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There was nothing to cause suspicion in the appearance of an elderly man who evidently was a lover of art.
MunicipaladjectiveUS /mjuːˈnɪsəpəl/
relating or belonging to or characteristic of a municipality
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
MUSEUMnounUS /mjuːˈziːəm/
a depository for collecting and displaying objects having scientific or historical or artistic value
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was nothing to cause suspicion in the appearance of an elderly man who evidently was a lover of art.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
paintingnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋ/
graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading At the information desk, he asked concerning a certain painting, and was directed to the second floor.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading He thanked the woman at the desk and ascended the stairs, passing the close scrutiny of the guards and the police stationed there.
a human being
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading He thanked the woman at the desk and ascended the stairs, passing the close scrutiny of the guards and the police stationed there.
refinementnounUS /rəˈfaɪnmənt/
a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
retreatingverbUS /riˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading He thanked the woman at the desk and ascended the stairs, passing the close scrutiny of the guards and the police stationed there.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading At the information desk, he asked concerning a certain painting, and was directed to the second floor.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading He thanked the woman at the desk and ascended the stairs, passing the close scrutiny of the guards and the police stationed there.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading He thanked the woman at the desk and ascended the stairs, passing the close scrutiny of the guards and the police stationed there.
steppingverbUS /ˈstepɪŋ/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading There was nothing to cause suspicion in the appearance of an elderly man who evidently was a lover of art.
thankedverbUS /θæŋkt/
past form of “thank” — express gratitude or show appreciation to
From this reading He thanked the woman at the desk and ascended the stairs, passing the close scrutiny of the guards and the police stationed there.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He thanked the woman at the desk and ascended the stairs, passing the close scrutiny of the guards and the police stationed there.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At the information desk, he asked concerning a certain painting, and was directed to the second floor.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the information desk, he asked concerning a certain painting, and was directed to the second floor.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He found the painting for which he had asked, and stood before it for some time, looking at it, now stepping forward and now retreating, now and then walking to one side to get a better reflection of light on the canvas.
which person or people
From this reading INSIDE THE MUSEUM That afternoon, about the hour of three, an elderly gentleman who looked like a person of culture and refinement, entered the Municipal Museum.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading He thanked the woman at the desk and ascended the stairs, passing the close scrutiny of the guards and the police stationed there.
