used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
acceptancenounUS /ækˈseptəns/
the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
appointmentnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənt/
the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
astrologernounUS /əˈstrɑːlədʒər/
someone who predicts the future by the positions of the planets and sun and Moon
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
consentedverbUS /kənˈsentɪd/
past form of “consent” — give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
devicenounUS /dɪˈvaɪs/
an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
famedadjectiveUS /feɪmd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
flattish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
HebrewnounUS /ˈhiːbruː/
the ancient Canaanitic language of the Hebrews that has been revived as the official language of Israel
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
the act of retaining something
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
incomprehensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋkɑːmprəˈhensɪbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
for more time
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
monknounUS /mʌŋk/
a male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
not any; not one
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading A number of pin-pricks perforated it.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
not divisible by two
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
packetnounUS /ˈpækət/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
perforatedadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrfəreɪtɪd/
having a hole cut through
From this reading A number of pin-pricks perforated it.
phylacterynoun
(Judaism) either of two small leather cases containing texts from the Hebrew Scriptures (known collectively as tefillin); traditionally worn (on the forehead and the left arm) by Jewish men during morning prayer
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
pin-pricks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A number of pin-pricks perforated it.
recessverbUS /rɪˈses/
put into a recess
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/
located far away spatially
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
secrétaire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
that is looked for
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
make square
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
Sêvres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
a special situation
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
very small
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
vellumnoun
a heavy creamy-colored paper resembling parchment
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
precisely as stated
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
villanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
vividlyadverbUS /ˈvɪvədli/
in a vivid manner
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading He hesitated no longer, but, rising hastily, sought the secrétaire against the wall, and, feeling in a very remote and secret little recess of it, brought out a tiny packet, somewhat like a Hebrew phylactery in suggestion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
at the time that
From this reading It had been a black night in a certain October long past, when a dark Italian monk, a famed astrologer, had waited on him by appointment in his Sêvres villa.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As he stood, holding the thing in his hand, the time and occasion on which he had consented to its acceptance rose vividly before him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was no more than a couple of inches or so square, of vellum, flattish in form, and closely sealed with an odd, incomprehensible device.
