used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I think he is very anxious," she said in a half whisper.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
react verbally
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
eagerly desirous
From this reading "I think he is very anxious," she said in a half whisper.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading "What brought him here just now?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
DiananounUS /daɪˈænə/
English aristocrat who was the first wife of Prince Charles; her death in an automobile accident in Paris produced intense national mourning (1961-1997)
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading "I think he is very anxious," she said in a half whisper.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "What brought him here just now?
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I think he is very anxious," she said in a half whisper.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
and nothing more
From this reading "What brought him here just now?
roused to anger
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading SOMETHING TOO MUCH.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "What brought him here just now?
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I think he is very anxious," she said in a half whisper.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I think he is very anxious," she said in a half whisper.
Sheldon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading SOMETHING TOO MUCH.
having a supporting base
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "I think he is very anxious," she said in a half whisper.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading SOMETHING TOO MUCH.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
ValentinenounUS /ˈvæləntaɪn/
a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
precisely as stated
From this reading "I think he is very anxious," she said in a half whisper.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What brought him here just now?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading "I think he is very anxious," she said in a half whisper.
which person or people
From this reading The question was not addressed to any particular individual; and Diana, who was standing near the door by which Mr. Sheldon entered, took upon herself to answer it.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "Is that young man mad?" asked Philip Sheldon, as he went into his study immediately after Valentine had passed him in the hall.
