used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Now, however, I decided to call on the chance of his being disengaged, and if he should be unable to see me, to make an appointment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
appointmentnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənt/
the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading Now, however, I decided to call on the chance of his being disengaged, and if he should be unable to see me, to make an appointment.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If I had, he would probably have been considerably startled.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Now, however, I decided to call on the chance of his being disengaged, and if he should be unable to see me, to make an appointment.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Now, however, I decided to call on the chance of his being disengaged, and if he should be unable to see me, to make an appointment.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading If I had, he would probably have been considerably startled.
recognizable; marked
From this reading Now, however, I decided to call on the chance of his being disengaged, and if he should be unable to see me, to make an appointment.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
disengagedverbUS /dɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/
past form of “disengage” — release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles
From this reading Now, however, I decided to call on the chance of his being disengaged, and if he should be unable to see me, to make an appointment.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If I had, he would probably have been considerably startled.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If I had, he would probably have been considerably startled.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now, however, I decided to call on the chance of his being disengaged, and if he should be unable to see me, to make an appointment.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Now, however, I decided to call on the chance of his being disengaged, and if he should be unable to see me, to make an appointment.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If I had, he would probably have been considerably startled.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
intendingverbUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪŋ/
-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
engage in
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
maturedadjectiveUS /məˈtjʊrd/
fully ripe; at the height of bloom
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
a form of address for a man
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, however, I decided to call on the chance of his being disengaged, and if he should be unable to see me, to make an appointment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
Otway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading If I had, he would probably have been considerably startled.
proposeverbUS /prəˈpoʊz/
make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
with speed
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Now, however, I decided to call on the chance of his being disengaged, and if he should be unable to see me, to make an appointment.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading If I had, he would probably have been considerably startled.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
express in words
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
Thorndyke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading Now, however, I decided to call on the chance of his being disengaged, and if he should be unable to see me, to make an appointment.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading For the fact is that while we were talking I had formed a resolution which had rapidly matured--the resolution to go to Dr. Thorndyke and make a clean breast of the whole affair.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading I had told Mr. Otway that I had to go; but I did not tell him why.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If I had, he would probably have been considerably startled.
produce a literary work
From this reading He had invited me to call on him and report from time to time, especially if I should be in need of advice or help, and I had been intending to write and propose a visit.
