used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
abruptadjectiveUS /əˈbrʌpt/
marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
From this reading This was certainly rather an abrupt and unconnected mode of commencing conversation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This was certainly rather an abrupt and unconnected mode of commencing conversation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
a youthful male person
From this reading "No, it wouldn't, Gluck, my boy," said the little man.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading This was certainly rather an abrupt and unconnected mode of commencing conversation.
commencingverbUS /kəˈmensɪŋ/
-ing form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading This was certainly rather an abrupt and unconnected mode of commencing conversation.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading This was certainly rather an abrupt and unconnected mode of commencing conversation.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
deliberatelyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪbərətli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
dictumnounUS /ˈdɪktəm/
an authoritative declaration
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
disputeverbUS /dɪsˈpjuːt/
take exception to
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
dwarfnounUS /dwɔːrf/
a person who is markedly small
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
dwarf's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
opinion or judgment
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
GlucknounUS /ɡlʌk/
German composer of more than 100 operas (1714-1787)
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
Gluck'snounUS /ɡlʌks/
possessive form of “gluck” — German composer of more than 100 operas (1714-1787)
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "No, it wouldn't, Gluck, my boy," said the little man.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "No, it wouldn't, Gluck, my boy," said the little man.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "No, it wouldn't, Gluck, my boy," said the little man.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
mildlyadverbUS /ˈmaɪldli/
to a moderate degree
From this reading "Wouldn't it, sir?" said Gluck, very mildly and submissively indeed.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
modenounUS /moʊd/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading This was certainly rather an abrupt and unconnected mode of commencing conversation.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "No, it wouldn't, Gluck, my boy," said the little man.
not any; not one
From this reading "No, it wouldn't, Gluck, my boy," said the little man.
observationsnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “observation” — the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was certainly rather an abrupt and unconnected mode of commencing conversation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
potnounUS /pɑːt/
metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
on the contrary
From this reading This was certainly rather an abrupt and unconnected mode of commencing conversation.
referverbUS /rəˈfɜːr/
make reference to
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
referredverbUS /rəˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “refer” — make reference to
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "No, it wouldn't, Gluck, my boy," said the little man.
self-examinationnoun
the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
term of address for a man
From this reading "Wouldn't it, sir?" said Gluck, very mildly and submissively indeed.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
submissivelyadverb
in a servile manner
From this reading "Wouldn't it, sir?" said Gluck, very mildly and submissively indeed.
required or under orders
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was certainly rather an abrupt and unconnected mode of commencing conversation.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
unconnectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnkəˈnektɪd/
not joined or linked together
From this reading This was certainly rather an abrupt and unconnected mode of commencing conversation.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Wouldn't it, sir?" said Gluck, very mildly and submissively indeed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was certainly rather an abrupt and unconnected mode of commencing conversation.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
at the time that
From this reading When the dwarf had finished his self-examination, he turned his small eyes full on Gluck, and stared at him deliberately for a minute or two.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It might indeed be supposed to refer to the course of Gluck's thoughts, which had first produced the dwarf's observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had no inclination to dispute the dictum.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, it wouldn't, Gluck, my boy," said the little man.
