used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
abruptadjectiveUS /əˈbrʌpt/
marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
From this reading Or tell me,' I continued, with an abrupt change of mind, 'who is that who has just left us?'
ailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading 'No,' I answered, turning from him impatiently; 'nothing, nothing, sir.
any thing at all
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
apologynounUS /əˈpɑːlədʒiː/
an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
lacking funds
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Or tell me,' I continued, with an abrupt change of mind, 'who is that who has just left us?'
civillyadverbUS /ˈsɪvɪli/
in a civil manner
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
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 When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
intentionally conceived
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
without stop or interruption
From this reading Or tell me,' I continued, with an abrupt change of mind, 'who is that who has just left us?'
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
discourtesynoun
an expression of lack of respect
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
psychological suffering
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
fixedlyadverb
in a fixed manner
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
Francois
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Or tell me,' I continued, with an abrupt change of mind, 'who is that who has just left us?'
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
with impatience; in an impatient manner
From this reading 'No,' I answered, turning from him impatiently; 'nothing, nothing, sir.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Or tell me,' I continued, with an abrupt change of mind, 'who is that who has just left us?'
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
and nothing more
From this reading Or tell me,' I continued, with an abrupt change of mind, 'who is that who has just left us?'
conformity or harmony
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
immediately past
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
LEAGUEnounUS /liːɡ/
an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading THE OFFER OF THE LEAGUE.
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 Or tell me,' I continued, with an abrupt change of mind, 'who is that who has just left us?'
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
not any; not one
From this reading 'No,' I answered, turning from him impatiently; 'nothing, nothing, sir.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading 'No,' I answered, turning from him impatiently; 'nothing, nothing, sir.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE OFFER OF THE LEAGUE.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading THE OFFER OF THE LEAGUE.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Or tell me,' I continued, with an abrupt change of mind, 'who is that who has just left us?'
owedverbUS /oʊd/
past form of “owe” — be obliged to pay or repay
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
phrasenounUS /freɪz/
an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
recollectedverbUS /ˌrekəˈlektɪd/
past form of “recollect” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
term of address for a man
From this reading 'No,' I answered, turning from him impatiently; 'nothing, nothing, sir.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
having a supporting base
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
express in words
From this reading Or tell me,' I continued, with an abrupt change of mind, 'who is that who has just left us?'
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE OFFER OF THE LEAGUE.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
a source of difficulty
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading 'No,' I answered, turning from him impatiently; 'nothing, nothing, sir.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Or tell me,' I continued, with an abrupt change of mind, 'who is that who has just left us?'
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I began to offer it; but my distress and confusion of mind were such that in the middle of a set phrase I broke off, and stood looking fixedly at him, my trouble so plain that he asked me civilly if anything ailed me.
at the time that
From this reading When the last sound of his footsteps died away, I awoke as from an evil dream, and becoming conscious of the presence of M. Francois and the servants, recollected mechanically that I owed the former an apology for my discourtesy in keeping him standing in the cold.
which person or people
From this reading Or tell me,' I continued, with an abrupt change of mind, 'who is that who has just left us?'
in the company of; together with
From this reading Or tell me,' I continued, with an abrupt change of mind, 'who is that who has just left us?'
