AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
amazementnounUS /əˈmeɪzmənt/
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading The clerk looked up at him in amazement.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He did not, for the moment, notice that the two men standing immediately behind bore the stamp of plain-clothes policemen.
boreverbUS /bɔːr/
cause to be bored
From this reading He did not, for the moment, notice that the two men standing immediately behind bore the stamp of plain-clothes policemen.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
Café
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
cashier'snounUS /kæˈʃɪrz/
possessive form of “cashier” — an employee of a bank who receives and pays out money
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/
a person who is in charge
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
clerknounUS /klɜːrk/
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading The clerk looked up at him in amazement.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
commissionairenoun
a uniformed doorman
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
d'hotel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
descendedverbUS /dɪˈsendəd/
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
desknounUS /desk/
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not, for the moment, notice that the two men standing immediately behind bore the stamp of plain-clothes policemen.
drovenounUS /droʊv/
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
entrancenounUS /ˈentrəns/
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
hall-porter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The clerk looked up at him in amazement.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
HotelnounUS /hoʊˈtel/
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
immediatelyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmiːdiːətli/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading He did not, for the moment, notice that the two men standing immediately behind bore the stamp of plain-clothes policemen.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
LateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
Laverick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The clerk looked up at him in amazement.
maitre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
MilannounUS /məˈlɑːn/
the capital of Lombardy in northern Italy; has been an international center of trade and industry since the Middle Ages
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading He did not, for the moment, notice that the two men standing immediately behind bore the stamp of plain-clothes policemen.
motor-car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
noddedverbUS /ˈnɑːdəd/
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not, for the moment, notice that the two men standing immediately behind bore the stamp of plain-clothes policemen.
noticenounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading He did not, for the moment, notice that the two men standing immediately behind bore the stamp of plain-clothes policemen.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
packetnounUS /ˈpækət/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
plain-clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not, for the moment, notice that the two men standing immediately behind bore the stamp of plain-clothes policemen.
policemennounUS /pəˈliːsmɪn/
plural of “policeman” — a member of a police force
From this reading He did not, for the moment, notice that the two men standing immediately behind bore the stamp of plain-clothes policemen.
presentedverbUS /priˈzentɪd/
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
receiptnounUS /rɪˈsiːt/
the act of receiving
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
saluteverbUS /səˈluːt/
propose a toast to
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
sightnounUS /saɪt/
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading He did not, for the moment, notice that the two men standing immediately behind bore the stamp of plain-clothes policemen.
standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/
having a supporting base
From this reading He did not, for the moment, notice that the two men standing immediately behind bore the stamp of plain-clothes policemen.
StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/
English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
surprisenounUS /sərˈpraɪz/
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
treatedadjectiveUS /ˈtriːtɪd/
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He did not, for the moment, notice that the two men standing immediately behind bore the stamp of plain-clothes policemen.
unexpectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪd/
not expected or anticipated
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A large closed motor-car drove up to the front entrance and several men descended, among whom was Laverick himself.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Late that afternoon the hall-porter at the Milan Hotel, the commissionaire, and the chief maitre d’hotel from the Café, who happened to be in the hall, together with several others around the place who knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were treated to an unexpected surprise.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He nodded to the hall-porter, whose salute was purely mechanical, and making his way without hesitation to the interior of the hotel, presented his receipt at the cashier’s desk and asked for his packet.
