used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CONSULTATION WITH AN ATTORNEY.
absent-mindedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A CONSULTATION WITH AN ATTORNEY.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
announceverbUS /əˈnaʊns/
make known; make an announcement
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading It was another thing to decide just how this promise was to be carried out.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
assurancenounUS /əˈʃʊrəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
ATTORNEYnounUS /əˈtɜːrni/
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading A CONSULTATION WITH AN ATTORNEY.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was another thing to decide just how this promise was to be carried out.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
Carey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading It was another thing to decide just how this promise was to be carried out.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
CONSULTATIONnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəlˈteɪʃən/
a conference (usually with someone important)
From this reading A CONSULTATION WITH AN ATTORNEY.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
debtsnounUS /dets/
plural of “debt” — the state of owing something (especially money)
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading It was another thing to decide just how this promise was to be carried out.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
figuringnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərɪŋ/
problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
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 His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was another thing to decide just how this promise was to be carried out.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
and nothing more
From this reading It was another thing to decide just how this promise was to be carried out.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
engage in
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
Morey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
mussed-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
easily agitated
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was another thing to decide just how this promise was to be carried out.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
perspiringverbUS /pərˈspaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “perspire” — excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading It was another thing to decide just how this promise was to be carried out.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
scrapnounUS /skræp/
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
not in physical motion
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
carry out
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But, although Morey had climbed the dusty, narrow stairs to Major Carey’s office with nervous dread, he came down with something of assurance--as far as one could make out from the expression on the boy’s countenance.
a special situation
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was another thing to decide just how this promise was to be carried out.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was one thing for Morey to announce that he meant to take care of his mother’s debts.
(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 His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His face was red, he was perspiring, his hat was well back on his mussed-up hair and he still held, absent-mindedly, the scrap of paper on which he had been figuring.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A CONSULTATION WITH AN ATTORNEY.
