used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
ALAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALAN BEGINS HIS GAME.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
BafflednounUS /ˈbæfəld/
people who are frustrated and perplexed
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
BEGINSnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnz/
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading ALAN BEGINS HIS GAME.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
cabinetsnounUS /ˈkæbənəts/
plural of “cabinet” — a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
courtesying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
demurelyadverbUS /dɪˈmjʊrli/
in a demure manner
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
wanted intensely
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
remove the dust from
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading And in the morning he made a second effort.
fastidiousadjectiveUS /fæˈstɪdiəs/
giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
with resolute determination
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
frowningadjectiveUS /ˈfraʊnɪŋ/
showing displeasure or anger
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading ALAN BEGINS HIS GAME.
the act of departing
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And in the morning he made a second effort.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ALAN BEGINS HIS GAME.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
a message received and understood
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
conformity or harmony
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
lately-deserted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
Leslie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
hear with intention
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading And in the morning he made a second effort.
Millie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
modenounUS /moʊd/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading And in the morning he made a second effort.
motesnounUS /moʊts/
plural of “mote” — (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
be obedient to
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
come into possession of
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
with little or no delay
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading And in the morning he made a second effort.
seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/
from appearances alone
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
setsnounUS /sets/
plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
shudderingadjectiveUS /ˈʃʌdərɪŋ/
shaking convulsively or violently
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading She came promptly, courtesying demurely, and seemingly keeping in her mind Leslie's instructions, "to listen, to obey, and to keep silence."
staleadjectiveUS /steɪl/
lacking freshness, palatability, or showing deterioration from age
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
streaknounUS /striːk/
an unbroken series of events
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Baffled in this first attempt to obtain the desired information, Alan sets his lips firmly, and plans a new mode of attack.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
at the time that
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Going down to his lately-deserted study, shuddering with a little fastidious chill as he made his way across the darkened room and noted the stale atmosphere; frowning, too, when he drew back a heavy curtain and observed that there was dust upon his cabinets, and that motes were swimming in the streak of light that came through the parted curtains he rang his bell and sent for Millie.
