used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
albumnounUS /ˈælbəm/
one or more recordings issued together; originally released on 12-inch phonograph records (usually with attractive record covers) and later on cassette audiotape and compact disc
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
appropriateverbUS /əˈproʊpriət/
give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
ATTILAnounUS /əˈtɪlə/
king of the Huns; the most successful barbarian invader of the Roman Empire (406-453)
From this reading THE CAPTAIN OF THE ‘ATTILA.’
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
bushy-bearded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading THE CAPTAIN OF THE ‘ATTILA.’
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
enviedverbUS /ˈenvid/
inflected form of “envy” — feel envious towards; admire enviously
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
a quick look
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
hardnessnounUS /ˈhɑːrdnəs/
the property of being rigid and resistant to pressure; not easily scratched; measured on Mohs scale
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
heapedverbUS /hiːpt/
past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
impetuousadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpetʃwəs/
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
independentadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/
free from external control and constraint
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
inflexibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfleksəbəl/
incapable of change
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
instrumentsnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənts/
plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
Islington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
knobsnounUS /nɑːbz/
plural of “knob” — a circular rounded projection or protuberance
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
manhoodnounUS /ˈmænhʊd/
the state of being a man; manly qualities
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
mapsnounUS /mæps/
plural of “map” — a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
miennounUS /miːn/
dignified manner or conduct
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CAPTAIN OF THE ‘ATTILA.’
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
physiognomists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
Identical; not different.
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
sedatenessnoun
a trait of dignified seriousness
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
a particular situation
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
specimennounUS /ˈspesəmən/
an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
having a supporting base
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
not in physical motion
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
studdedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdɪd/
dotted or adorned with or as with studs or nailheads; usually used in combination
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CAPTAIN OF THE ‘ATTILA.’
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading As I advanced into the room, he rose, a grand specimen of manhood, standing full six feet three inches in his shoes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
villanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
vividlyadverbUS /ˈvɪvədli/
in a vivid manner
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
writing-desk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated before a writing-desk, studded with knobs of electric bells and heaped with maps and instruments, sat a bushy-bearded man with straight piercing glance and a forehead physiognomists would have envied.
a late time of life
From this reading Ten years had not rolled away for nothing; still the face which looked into mine vividly recalled my glimpse into the album in the little villa at Islington.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading There was the same independent look, the same cruel hardness that had stamped the mien of the youth, but the old impetuous air had given way to a cold inflexible sedateness, far more appropriate to the dread master of the _Attila_.
