used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
for the reason that
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
Burgo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
cushionsnounUS /ˈkʊʃənz/
plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
DURANCEnoun
imprisonment (especially for a long time)
From this reading IN DURANCE VILE.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
opinion or judgment
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
set up or found
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
horsehairnoun
hair taken from the mane or tail of a horse
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
Imprimis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN DURANCE VILE.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
and nothing more
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
mahoganynounUS /məˈhɑːɡəni/
wood of any of various mahogany trees; much used for cabinetwork and furniture
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
satisfyverbUS /ˈsætəsfaɪ/
meet the requirements or expectations of
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
only a very short time before
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
unfamiliaradjectiveUS /ˌʌnfəˈmɪljər/
not known or well known
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
VILEadjectiveUS /vaɪl/
morally reprehensible
From this reading IN DURANCE VILE.
migratory
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
be dressed in
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
at the time that
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
in or at the place that
From this reading It was daylight when Burgo next opened his eyes, and asked himself what had happened to him and where he was.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading So without attempting to move hand or foot, he proceeded to stare about him, his eyes wandering from side to side, and taking in one detail after another of the unfamiliar quarters in which he now found himself.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading Imprimis, he was stretched at full length on a couch which he afterwards found to be made of mahogany, with old-fashioned cushions and a pillow of horsehair considerably the worse for wear.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He tried to satisfy himself on the latter point first, because not to have done so would have involved an effort of memory such as just then he scarcely felt equal to.
