used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
Annerley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
Arbuthnot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Just in time, Arbuthnot!
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
completely unclothed
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
boomingadjectiveUS /ˈbuːmɪŋ/
very lively and profitable
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
coat-sleeve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
comicaladjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmɪkəl/
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
Devereux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
gongnounUS /ɡɔːŋ/
a percussion instrument consisting of a metal plate that is struck with a softheaded drumstick
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
goutnounUS /ɡaʊt/
a painful inflammation of the big toe and foot caused by defects in uric acid metabolism resulting in deposits of the acid and its salts in the blood and joints
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
insipid-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
and nothing more
From this reading "Just in time, Arbuthnot!
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
Maud's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
Olive's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
on one occasion
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
rubbingnounUS /ˈrʌbɪŋ/
the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
only a very short time before
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
a state of acute pain
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "Just in time, Arbuthnot!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The gong was booming through the hall as I reached the drawing-room, and the little party had already risen to their feet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A FIGHT FOR LIFE In less than an hour I was back at Devereux Court.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
a Caucasian
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
which person or people
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Maud's hand was resting on the coat-sleeve of a man scarcely as tall as herself, with a fair, insipid-looking face and weak eyes--whom I knew at once must be Lord Annerley.
withdrewverbUS /wɪθˈdruː/
inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading Sir Francis, who was suffering from a bad attack of gout, was leaning half on his stick, half on Lady Olive's bare, white shoulder; but, at my entrance, he withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, rubbing her arm with a comical air of relief.
