used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
blindsnounUS /blaɪndz/
plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
relating to or characteristic of Christianity
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
divisible by two
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
excessnounUS /ˈekses/
a quantity much larger than is needed
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
FalknernounUS /ˈfɔːknər/
United States novelist (originally Falkner) who wrote about people in the southern United States (1897-1962)
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
formerlyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrmərli/
at a previous time
From this reading This sitting-room of his had rather pleased him formerly.
formlessadjective
having no definite form or distinct shape
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
the act of departing
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
impelverbUS /ˌɪmˈpel/
urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
used to form the superlative
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
not any; not one
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
notionsnounUS /ˈnoʊʃənz/
plural of “notion” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
and nothing more
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
painstakingadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪnsteɪkɪŋ/
characterized by extreme care and great effort
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading This sitting-room of his had rather pleased him formerly.
precautionsnounUS /priˈkɔːʃənz/
plural of “precaution” — a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
proceedingsnounUS /proʊˈsiːdɪŋz/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
on the contrary
From this reading This sitting-room of his had rather pleased him formerly.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
securitynounUS /sɪˈkjʊrəti/
the state of being free from danger or injury
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sitting-room of his had rather pleased him formerly.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
not in physical motion
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
unseasonableadjective
not in keeping with (and usually undesirable for) the season
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
varnishedadjectiveUS /ˈvɑːrnɪʃt/
having a coating of stain or varnish
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading He drew off his varnished boots as a further measure of security, and then, with more hesitation, removed his cloak and coat, and raised the inside blinds at the two windows.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Christian climbed the stairs at Duke Street, and let himself into his apartments, with painstaking precautions against being overheard.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young man had still only formless notions of what he was going to do, but it was at least plain to him that Falkner was to have no part in the proceedings.
zealnounUS /ziːl/
a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
From this reading There was an excess of zeal about Falkner which might easily impel him to present himself for service at even this most unseasonable hour.
