used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
buttonnounUS /ˈbʌtən/
a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard expression of countenance.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
canenounUS /keɪn/
a stick that people can lean on to help them walk
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
clippedadjectiveUS /klɪpt/
cut or trimmed by clipping
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading Now, as he rounded the heads of the mules, I straightened up, observing him more closely.
clothing in general
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
make right or correct
From this reading His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard expression of countenance.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard expression of countenance.
placed crosswise
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
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 I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
put on clothes
From this reading His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard expression of countenance.
drugverbUS /drʌɡ/
administer a drug to
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard expression of countenance.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
forty-fivenounUS /ˈfɔːrtifaɪv/
a .45-caliber pistol
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard expression of countenance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Now, as he rounded the heads of the mules, I straightened up, observing him more closely.
to a considerable degree
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard expression of countenance.
lumbernounUS /ˈlʌmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
mitigateverbUS /ˈmɪtəɡeɪt/
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
From this reading His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard expression of countenance.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Now, as he rounded the heads of the mules, I straightened up, observing him more closely.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard expression of countenance.
mulesnounUS /mjuːlz/
plural of “mule” — hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile
From this reading Now, as he rounded the heads of the mules, I straightened up, observing him more closely.
mustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
being perceived or observed
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, as he rounded the heads of the mules, I straightened up, observing him more closely.
observingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception
From this reading Now, as he rounded the heads of the mules, I straightened up, observing him more closely.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
in other respects or ways
From this reading His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard expression of countenance.
pasty-white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard expression of countenance.
on the contrary
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
rehitching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
roundedadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəd/
curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged
From this reading Now, as he rounded the heads of the mules, I straightened up, observing him more closely.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard expression of countenance.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
having a supporting base
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading Now, as he rounded the heads of the mules, I straightened up, observing him more closely.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
switchingnounUS /ˈswɪtʃɪŋ/
the act of changing one thing or position for another
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
tracesnounUS /ˈtreɪsəz/
plural of “trace” — a just detectable amount
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Now, as he rounded the heads of the mules, I straightened up, observing him more closely.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
at the time that
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was forty or forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning to gray.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading I had noticed him before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in which he watched me work.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly, switching his light cane carelessly in the air.
