Chapter XI · Absent on Business

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading He threw aside the stump of a cigar which he had been smoking, and walking to the window, looked out.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

later than; following

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading “I must raise an umbrella somewhere.”

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading He threw aside the stump of a cigar which he had been smoking, and walking to the window, looked out.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

on or to one side

From this reading He threw aside the stump of a cigar which he had been smoking, and walking to the window, looked out.

desiring or striving for recognition or advancement

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

-ing form of “bristle” — be in a state of movement or action

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

a roll of tobacco for smoking

From this reading He threw aside the stump of a cigar which he had been smoking, and walking to the window, looked out.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

something regarded with special favor or liking

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

the act of giving

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

the act of departing

From this reading “I wonder if it is going to rain,” he thought.

an established custom

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “I wonder if it is going to rain,” he thought.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “I wonder if it is going to rain,” he thought.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

knowledge and intellectual ability

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “I wonder if it is going to rain,” he thought.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “I wonder if it is going to rain,” he thought.

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

in an unhurried way or at one's convenience

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He threw aside the stump of a cigar which he had been smoking, and walking to the window, looked out.

-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

a form of address for a man

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “I must raise an umbrella somewhere.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He threw aside the stump of a cigar which he had been smoking, and walking to the window, looked out.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He threw aside the stump of a cigar which he had been smoking, and walking to the window, looked out.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

by chance

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading “I wonder if it is going to rain,” he thought.

raise the level or amount of something

From this reading “I must raise an umbrella somewhere.”

plural of “regard” — (usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading He threw aside the stump of a cigar which he had been smoking, and walking to the window, looked out.

in or at or to some place

From this reading “I must raise an umbrella somewhere.”

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled

From this reading He threw aside the stump of a cigar which he had been smoking, and walking to the window, looked out.

an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading “I wonder if it is going to rain,” he thought.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading He threw aside the stump of a cigar which he had been smoking, and walking to the window, looked out.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading He threw aside the stump of a cigar which he had been smoking, and walking to the window, looked out.

a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy

From this reading “I must raise an umbrella somewhere.”

a formal word for “on”

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

directed up

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading He threw aside the stump of a cigar which he had been smoking, and walking to the window, looked out.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

at the time that

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The afternoon was already well advanced when Richard Sharp rose leisurely from the arm-chair in which he had been lounging.

a Caucasian

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

which person or people

From this reading After passing his fingers through his bristling locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading He threw aside the stump of a cigar which he had been smoking, and walking to the window, looked out.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading “I wonder if it is going to rain,” he thought.