used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
activitiesnounUS /ækˈtɪvətiz/
plural of “activity” — any specific behavior
From this reading Presently through the front door on his left Birts entered and, seeing him, at once came to tell of his afternoon’s activities.
admitsverbUS /ədˈmɪts/
third-person singular of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading “There hasn’t been a soul hanging round that any one admits to seeing,” was his conclusion.
afternoon'snounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːnz/
possessive form of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “There hasn’t been a soul hanging round that any one admits to seeing,” was his conclusion.
armchairsnounUS /ˈɑːrmtʃerz/
plural of “armchair” — chair with a support on each side for arms
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
Birts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently through the front door on his left Birts entered and, seeing him, at once came to tell of his afternoon’s activities.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Presently through the front door on his left Birts entered and, seeing him, at once came to tell of his afternoon’s activities.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading “There hasn’t been a soul hanging round that any one admits to seeing,” was his conclusion.
deliververbUS /dɪˈlɪvər/
deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Presently through the front door on his left Birts entered and, seeing him, at once came to tell of his afternoon’s activities.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
earnedadjectiveUS /ɜːrnd/
gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Presently through the front door on his left Birts entered and, seeing him, at once came to tell of his afternoon’s activities.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
Evelyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
set up or found
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Presently through the front door on his left Birts entered and, seeing him, at once came to tell of his afternoon’s activities.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading “There hasn’t been a soul hanging round that any one admits to seeing,” was his conclusion.
hasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There hasn’t been a soul hanging round that any one admits to seeing,” was his conclusion.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
Humblethorne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
the act of departing
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
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 Presently through the front door on his left Birts entered and, seeing him, at once came to tell of his afternoon’s activities.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
absolutely essential
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
negativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɡətɪv/
characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
on one occasion
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
in the near future
From this reading Presently through the front door on his left Birts entered and, seeing him, at once came to tell of his afternoon’s activities.
pursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
to say, state, or perform again
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
reporternounUS /rɪˈpɔːrtər/
a person who investigates and reports or edits news stories
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading “There hasn’t been a soul hanging round that any one admits to seeing,” was his conclusion.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Presently through the front door on his left Birts entered and, seeing him, at once came to tell of his afternoon’s activities.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading “There hasn’t been a soul hanging round that any one admits to seeing,” was his conclusion.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
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 The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
express in words
From this reading Presently through the front door on his left Birts entered and, seeing him, at once came to tell of his afternoon’s activities.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “There hasn’t been a soul hanging round that any one admits to seeing,” was his conclusion.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading The tale of the account he had given to a friendly reporter he did not think it necessary to repeat—that had not had much to do with Humblethorne; but he had an entirely negative report of the inquiries he had been pursuing in the grounds to deliver.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Presently through the front door on his left Birts entered and, seeing him, at once came to tell of his afternoon’s activities.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “There hasn’t been a soul hanging round that any one admits to seeing,” was his conclusion.
(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 He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
at the time that
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The Broken Window When Humblethorne, on leaving Evelyn, descended once more to the hall, he found his tea set in readiness for him at the end opposite the stairs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He felt that he had earned it, and sat down in one of the big armchairs facing the fireplace, well satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
