used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
alacritynounUS /əˈlækrəti/
liveliness and eagerness
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Of the old lady he made an easy conquest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
cakenounUS /keɪk/
a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
conquestnounUS /ˈkɑːŋkwest/
the act of conquering
From this reading Of the old lady he made an easy conquest.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, he was so pleasant and so courtly, so full of interesting information, that the two women couldn’t withstand him.
courtlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɔːrtli/
refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court
From this reading Still, he was so pleasant and so courtly, so full of interesting information, that the two women couldn’t withstand him.
cuffsnounUS /kʌfs/
plural of “cuff” — the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg
From this reading His nails were grimy, like his cuffs.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Of the old lady he made an easy conquest.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Especially the old lady.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Still, he was so pleasant and so courtly, so full of interesting information, that the two women couldn’t withstand him.
grimyadjectiveUS /ˈɡraɪmi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading His nails were grimy, like his cuffs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Of the old lady he made an easy conquest.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His nails were grimy, like his cuffs.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
a message received and understood
From this reading Still, he was so pleasant and so courtly, so full of interesting information, that the two women couldn’t withstand him.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading Still, he was so pleasant and so courtly, so full of interesting information, that the two women couldn’t withstand him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Of the old lady he made an easy conquest.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading His nails were grimy, like his cuffs.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Of the old lady he made an easy conquest.
engage in
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
nailsnounUS /neɪlz/
plural of “nail” — horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits
From this reading His nails were grimy, like his cuffs.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
not any; not one
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of the old lady he made an easy conquest.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Of the old lady he made an easy conquest.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Still, he was so pleasant and so courtly, so full of interesting information, that the two women couldn’t withstand him.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
scentedadjectiveUS /ˈsentɪd/
having the sense of smell
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Still, he was so pleasant and so courtly, so full of interesting information, that the two women couldn’t withstand him.
soapnounUS /soʊp/
a cleansing agent made from the salts of vegetable or animal fats
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still, he was so pleasant and so courtly, so full of interesting information, that the two women couldn’t withstand him.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Of the old lady he made an easy conquest.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
towelnounUS /ˈtaʊəl/
a rectangular piece of absorbent cloth (or paper) for drying or wiping
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Still, he was so pleasant and so courtly, so full of interesting information, that the two women couldn’t withstand him.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
washingnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋ/
the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
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 He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His nails were grimy, like his cuffs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He obeyed the call to supper with alacrity, but although he had had quite an hour and a half to rest and make ready, although warm water and a clean towel and a new cake of scented soap had been provided for him, it was evident that he had spent no time in washing.
withstandverbUS /wɪθˈstænd/
resist or confront with resistance
From this reading Still, he was so pleasant and so courtly, so full of interesting information, that the two women couldn’t withstand him.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Still, he was so pleasant and so courtly, so full of interesting information, that the two women couldn’t withstand him.
