adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a knock at the door.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
actornounUS /ˈæktər/
a theatrical performer
From this reading A person resembling a poor clergyman or a poor actor appeared in the doorway.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A person resembling a poor clergyman or a poor actor appeared in the doorway.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was a knock at the door.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
bodynounUS /ˈbɑːdi/
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
buttonedadjectiveUS /ˈbʌtənd/
furnished or closed with buttons or something buttonlike
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
buttonsnounUS /ˈbʌtənz/
plural of “button” — a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
candlelightnounUS /ˈkændəllaɪt/
the light provided by a burning candle
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
clergymannounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒimən/
a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading A person resembling a poor clergyman or a poor actor appeared in the doorway.
clergyman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
clothesnounUS /kloʊðz/
clothing in general
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
ComeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Come in!” said Mr Henchy.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There was a knock at the door.
doorwaynounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪ/
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading A person resembling a poor clergyman or a poor actor appeared in the doorway.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He wore a round hat of hard black felt.
frock-coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading He wore a round hat of hard black felt.
hatnounUS /hæt/
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading He wore a round hat of hard black felt.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
Henchy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Come in!” said Mr Henchy.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
impossibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Come in!” said Mr Henchy.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
knockverbUS /nɑːk/
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading There was a knock at the door.
layman'snounUS /ˈleɪmənz/
possessive form of “layman” — someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading “Come in!” said Mr Henchy.
necknounUS /nek/
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A person resembling a poor clergyman or a poor actor appeared in the doorway.
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/
a human being
From this reading A person resembling a poor clergyman or a poor actor appeared in the doorway.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading A person resembling a poor clergyman or a poor actor appeared in the doorway.
reflectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈflektɪd/
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
resemblingverbUS /rɪˈzembəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading A person resembling a poor clergyman or a poor actor appeared in the doorway.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He wore a round hat of hard black felt.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Come in!” said Mr Henchy.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a knock at the door.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a knock at the door.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
uncoveredadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌvərd/
not covered with clothing
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a knock at the door.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
woreverbUS /wɔːr/
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman’s collar or a layman’s, because the collar of his shabby frock-coat, the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight, was turned up about his neck.
