used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
annualadjectiveUS /ˈænjuːəl/
completing its life cycle within a year
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Mr. Polycarp stroked his beautiful white moustache.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
make calm or still
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
centraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
client'snounUS /ˈklaɪənts/
possessive form of “client” — a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
dropsnounUS /drɑːps/
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
EXPLAINSverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnz/
third-person singular of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
fixturesnounUS /ˈfɪkstʃərz/
plural of “fixture” — an object firmly fixed in place (especially in a household)
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
fountainsnounUS /ˈfaʊntənz/
plural of “fountain” — a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
goodwillnounUS /ˈɡʊˈdwɪl/
(accounting) an intangible asset valued according to the advantage or reputation a business has acquired (over and above its tangible assets)
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Polycarp stroked his beautiful white moustache.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
HUGOnounUS /ˈhjuːɡoʊ/
French poet and novelist and dramatist; leader of the romantic movement in France (1802-1885)
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
Hugo'snounUS /ˈhjuːɡoʊz/
possessive form of “hugo” — French poet and novelist and dramatist; leader of the romantic movement in France (1802-1885)
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
jetnounUS /dʒet/
an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
jewelledadjective
covered with beads or jewels or sequins
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
luxuriousadjectiveUS /ləɡˈʒɜːriəs/
displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
mincingadjectiveUS /ˈmɪnsɪŋ/
affectedly dainty or refined
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
moustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading Mr. Polycarp stroked his beautiful white moustache.
a form of address for a man
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
netnounUS /net/
a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
overlookedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkt/
not taken into account
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
passionlessadjective
not passionate
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
Polycarpnoun
Greek bishop of Smyrna who refused to recant his Christian faith and was burned to death by pagans (circa 69-155)
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
premisesnounUS /ˈpreməsəz/
land and the buildings on it
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
profitsnounUS /ˈprɑːfɪts/
the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
a safe place
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
SenioradjectiveUS /ˈsiːnjər/
older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
strokedverbUS /stroʊkt/
past form of “stroke” — touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions
From this reading Mr. Polycarp stroked his beautiful white moustache.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For half an hour they had been talking in the luxurious calm of Hugo's central office, which was like an island refuge in the middle of that tossing ocean of business.
a Caucasian
From this reading Mr. Polycarp stroked his beautiful white moustache.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading It overlooked the court of fountains from the second story, and the highest jet of water threw a few jewelled drops to the level of its windows.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading 'We would give,' he said in his mincing, passionless voice, 'the cost price of premises, stock, and fixtures, and for goodwill seven times your net annual profits.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading HUGO EXPLAINS HIMSELF 'And what,' asked Hugo, smiling faintly at Mr. Senior Polycarp--'what is your client's idea of price?'
