used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
(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 He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
boyhoodnounUS /ˈbɔɪhʊd/
the childhood of a boy
From this reading For young Mr. Higman had been performing that miracle, forever dear to dreaming boyhood; he had been saving the world.
BURTONnounUS /ˈbɜːrtən/
English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
cindernounUS /ˈsɪndər/
a fragment of incombustible matter left after a wood or coal or charcoal fire
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
clothing in general
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
dearly loved
From this reading For young Mr. Higman had been performing that miracle, forever dear to dreaming boyhood; he had been saving the world.
deducedverbUS /dɪˈduːst/
past form of “deduce” — reason by deduction; establish by deduction
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
derivedadjectiveUS /dərˈaɪvd/
formed or developed from something else; not original
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading For young Mr. Higman had been performing that miracle, forever dear to dreaming boyhood; he had been saving the world.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
for a limitless time
From this reading For young Mr. Higman had been performing that miracle, forever dear to dreaming boyhood; he had been saving the world.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
GuardiannounUS /ˈɡɑːrdiən/
a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
HIGMAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
of great significance or value
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
inferentialadjectiveUS /ˌɪnfərˈenʃəl/
relating to or having the nature of illation or inference
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
martyr-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
miraclenounUS /ˈmɪrəkəl/
any amazing or wonderful occurrence
From this reading For young Mr. Higman had been performing that miracle, forever dear to dreaming boyhood; he had been saving the world.
a particular point in time
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
a form of address for a man
From this reading MR.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
performingnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading For young Mr. Higman had been performing that miracle, forever dear to dreaming boyhood; he had been saving the world.
powerfullyadverbUS /ˈpaʊərfli/
in a powerful manner
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
railwaynounUS /ˈreɪlweɪ/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
sanctifiedadjective
made or declared or believed to be holy; devoted to a deity or some religious ceremony or use
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
savingnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋ/
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
From this reading For young Mr. Higman had been performing that miracle, forever dear to dreaming boyhood; he had been saving the world.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A powerfully inferential mind might have derived from his proud and important bearing that he had matters of moment on his mind; might further have deduced that he had been on a railway journey, from the presence of a cinder in his ear.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BURTON HIGMAN mounted the stairs of The Guardian office, dressed in his best suit of clothes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
which person or people
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading He wore the air and expression, sanctified, as it were, all but martyr-like, as of one who, if he had not already died for his country, was at least prepared to.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading For young Mr. Higman had been performing that miracle, forever dear to dreaming boyhood; he had been saving the world.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading For young Mr. Higman had been performing that miracle, forever dear to dreaming boyhood; he had been saving the world.
