used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
BurtonnounUS /ˈbɜːrtən/
English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
Burton'snounUS /ˈbɜːrtənz/
possessive form of “burton” — English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
compliedverbUS /kəmˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “comply” — act in accordance with someone's rules, commands, or wishes
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
cordialitynoun
a cordial disposition
From this reading Yet within a few minutes the financier entered the library, his face lit with a sunny smile of cordiality.
divestingverbUS /daɪˈvestɪŋ/
-ing form of “divest” — take away possessions from someone
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
down-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Yet within a few minutes the financier entered the library, his face lit with a sunny smile of cordiality.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Yet within a few minutes the financier entered the library, his face lit with a sunny smile of cordiality.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Yet within a few minutes the financier entered the library, his face lit with a sunny smile of cordiality.
financiernounUS /ˌfɪnənˈsɪr/
a person skilled in large scale financial transactions
From this reading Yet within a few minutes the financier entered the library, his face lit with a sunny smile of cordiality.
start firing a weapon
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Hendricks took a hasty step forward.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
death of a person
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
half-hournounUS /ˈhæfaʊər/
a half of an hour
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
HamiltonnounUS /ˈhæməltən/
Irish mathematician (1806-1865)
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
hastyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪsti/
excessively quick
From this reading Hendricks took a hasty step forward.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
Hendricks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
a room where books are kept
From this reading Yet within a few minutes the financier entered the library, his face lit with a sunny smile of cordiality.
provided with artificial light
From this reading Yet within a few minutes the financier entered the library, his face lit with a sunny smile of cordiality.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Yet within a few minutes the financier entered the library, his face lit with a sunny smile of cordiality.
a form of address for a man
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
overcoatnounUS /ˈoʊvərkoʊt/
a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
politiciannounUS /ˌpɑːləˈtɪʃən/
a leader engaged in civil administration
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
portfolionounUS /pɔːrtˈfoʊlioʊ/
a large, flat, thin case for carrying loose papers or drawings or maps; usually leather
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
express the need or desire for
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
Ruferton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
move stealthily
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Yet within a few minutes the financier entered the library, his face lit with a sunny smile of cordiality.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Hendricks took a hasty step forward.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
sunnyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌni/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Yet within a few minutes the financier entered the library, his face lit with a sunny smile of cordiality.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Hendricks took a hasty step forward.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
at the time that
From this reading When Mr. Ruferton and Mr. Hendricks presented themselves at the door of Hamilton Burton's house the clock was striking nine.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ruferton meanwhile made opportunity to slip his portfolio to the butler with the request that Mr. Burton should run through its contents before he came down-stairs and that was a request with which his employer fully complied.
which person or people
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
in the company of; together with
From this reading After divesting himself of his overcoat the politician stood waiting before the open fire with the manner of one who faces a doubtful half-hour and who faces it with grave anxiety.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Yet within a few minutes the financier entered the library, his face lit with a sunny smile of cordiality.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet within a few minutes the financier entered the library, his face lit with a sunny smile of cordiality.
