used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
quickly and without warning
From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.
absent-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.
chambersnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərz/
English architect (1723-1796)
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
Charing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
travel across or pass over
From this reading From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
destinationnounUS /ˌdestəˈneɪʃən/
the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.
in a gradual manner
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
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 AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
musingnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪŋ/
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
on one occasion
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
and nothing more
From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.
OPERAnounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/
without strain or anxiety
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
remissnessnoun
the quality of being lax and neglectful
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
retraceverbUS /riˈtreɪs/
to go back over again
From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
SteelenounUS /stiːl/
English writer (1672-1729)
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading From the door he directed his steps toward Charing Cross.
stridingverbUS /ˈstraɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “stride” — walk with long steps
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
thoughtfulnessnounUS /ˈθɔːtfəlnɪs/
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading For a moment the strong face of the man relaxed, as if in amusement at his own remissness; gradually however, it once more resumed its expression of musing thoughtfulness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
unconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/
without awareness
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading But only to wheel abruptly, and retrace his way.
at the time that
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
which person or people
From this reading AT THE OPERA When John Steele left the court toward the end of the day, he held his head as a man who thinks deeply.
but in spite of that
From this reading He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his office and his home.
