used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
alternatingadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərneɪtɪŋ/
(of a current) reversing direction
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading He rose; and went straight into the bedroom.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
bowlernounUS /ˈboʊlər/
a cricketer who delivers the ball to the batsman in cricket
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
rid of obstructions
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
convincingadjectiveUS /kənˈvɪnsɪŋ/
causing one to believe the truth of something
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
dumb-bells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
divisible by two
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
at any time
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
got-down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
grippedverbUS /ɡrɪpt/
inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
HadriannounUS /ˈhædriən/
Roman Emperor who was the adoptive son of Trajan; travelled throughout his empire to strengthen its frontiers and encourage learning and architecture; on a visit to Britain in 122 he ordered the construction of Hadrian's Wall (76-138)
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
hipsnounUS /hɪps/
plural of “hip” — either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He rose; and went straight into the bedroom.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
laid-bare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
not in physical motion
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
on one occasion
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
overhandadjective
with hand brought forward and down from above shoulder level
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
reviewnounUS /ˌriːˈvjuː/
a new appraisal or evaluation
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
rhythmicallyadverbUS /ˈrɪðmɪkli/
in a rhythmic manner
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
rootnounUS /ruːt/
(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading He rose; and went straight into the bedroom.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
successive (without a break)
From this reading He rose; and went straight into the bedroom.
strippedadjectiveUS /strɪpt/
having only essential or minimal features
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
swayingverbUS /ˈsweɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
ten-pound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
a special situation
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He rose; and went straight into the bedroom.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
at the time that
From this reading When the door was shut, Hadrian remained quite motionless on the throne; and set Himself to review what He had said.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
which person or people
From this reading Who even could hope to be convincing?--He flung the thing away from Him; and for ever closed that volume of the book of His life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Here He stripped, and stood erect, knees and feet close: gripped a pair of ten-pound dumb-bells; and swung them with the alternating gesture of a right and left overhand bowler, rhythmically swaying from the hips.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading He wondered whether He for once had got-down to and laid-bare the root of the matter: whether He for once had made His argument clear and convincing.--Good God!
