used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
acceptancenounUS /ækˈseptəns/
the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
accountsnounUS /əˈkaʊnts/
plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
eagerly desirous
From this reading With his bristling chin dropping nervously, and his forehead contracted with anxious wrinkles, he questioned Jerome.
Apostrophizing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apostrophizing it openly, before he began, as damned nonsense, he was yet not without a certain delight in the task.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
BassetnounUS /ˈbæsɪt/
smooth-haired breed of hound with short legs and long ears
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
batteredadjectiveUS /ˈbætərd/
damaged by blows or hard usage
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Apostrophizing it openly, before he began, as damned nonsense, he was yet not without a certain delight in the task.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Apostrophizing it openly, before he began, as damned nonsense, he was yet not without a certain delight in the task.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
bristlingverbUS /ˈbrɪsəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “bristle” — be in a state of movement or action
From this reading With his bristling chin dropping nervously, and his forehead contracted with anxious wrinkles, he questioned Jerome.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Apostrophizing it openly, before he began, as damned nonsense, he was yet not without a certain delight in the task.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading With his bristling chin dropping nervously, and his forehead contracted with anxious wrinkles, he questioned Jerome.
clutchnounUS /klʌtʃ/
the act of grasping
From this reading "Look at here," he said, with a tight clutch on Jerome's sleeve, "I want to know, young man.
contractedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntræktəd/
reduced in size or pulled together
From this reading With his bristling chin dropping nervously, and his forehead contracted with anxious wrinkles, he questioned Jerome.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
CyrusnounUS /ˈsaɪrəs/
Persian prince who was defeated in battle by his brother Artaxerxes II (424-401 BC)
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
damnedadjectiveUS /dæmd/
expletives used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Apostrophizing it openly, before he began, as damned nonsense, he was yet not without a certain delight in the task.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Apostrophizing it openly, before he began, as damned nonsense, he was yet not without a certain delight in the task.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading With his bristling chin dropping nervously, and his forehead contracted with anxious wrinkles, he questioned Jerome.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
elaboratedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæbəreɪtəd/
developed or executed with care and in minute detail
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
Eliphalet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading With his bristling chin dropping nervously, and his forehead contracted with anxious wrinkles, he questioned Jerome.
formaladjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrməl/
being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
hackedverbUS /hækt/
past form of “hack” — cut with a hacking tool
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Look at here," he said, with a tight clutch on Jerome's sleeve, "I want to know, young man.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Look at here," he said, with a tight clutch on Jerome's sleeve, "I want to know, young man.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
JeromenounUS /dʒərˈoʊm/
(Roman Catholic Church) one of the great Fathers of the early Christian Church whose major work was his translation of the Scriptures from Hebrew and Greek into Latin (which became the Vulgate); a saint and Doctor of the Church (347-420)
From this reading With his bristling chin dropping nervously, and his forehead contracted with anxious wrinkles, he questioned Jerome.
Jerome's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Look at here," he said, with a tight clutch on Jerome's sleeve, "I want to know, young man.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Look at here," he said, with a tight clutch on Jerome's sleeve, "I want to know, young man.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
legaladjectiveUS /ˈliːɡəl/
established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "Look at here," he said, with a tight clutch on Jerome's sleeve, "I want to know, young man.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
engage in
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "Look at here," he said, with a tight clutch on Jerome's sleeve, "I want to know, young man.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
nervouslyadverbUS /ˈnɜːrvəsli/
in an anxiously nervous manner
From this reading With his bristling chin dropping nervously, and his forehead contracted with anxious wrinkles, he questioned Jerome.
a message that seems to convey no meaning
From this reading Apostrophizing it openly, before he began, as damned nonsense, he was yet not without a certain delight in the task.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Apostrophizing it openly, before he began, as damned nonsense, he was yet not without a certain delight in the task.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Look at here," he said, with a tight clutch on Jerome's sleeve, "I want to know, young man.
openlyadverbUS /ˈoʊpənli/
in an open way
From this reading Apostrophizing it openly, before he began, as damned nonsense, he was yet not without a certain delight in the task.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
propositionnounUS /ˌprɑːpəˈzɪʃən/
(logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
questionedverbUS /ˈkwestʃənd/
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading With his bristling chin dropping nervously, and his forehead contracted with anxious wrinkles, he questioned Jerome.
quillnounUS /kwɪl/
pen made from a bird's feather
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
RobinsonnounUS /ˈrɑːbənsən/
English chemist noted for his studies of molecular structures in plants (1886-1975)
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Look at here," he said, with a tight clutch on Jerome's sleeve, "I want to know, young man.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
SimonnounUS /ˈsaɪmən/
one of the twelve Apostles (first century)
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
sleevenounUS /sliːv/
the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading "Look at here," he said, with a tight clutch on Jerome's sleeve, "I want to know, young man.
sputteringnounUS /ˈspʌtərɪŋ/
the noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
having a supporting base
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
sworeverbUS /swɔːr/
inflected form of “swear” — utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Apostrophizing it openly, before he began, as damned nonsense, he was yet not without a certain delight in the task.
terrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪd/
thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
tightadjectiveUS /taɪt/
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading "Look at here," he said, with a tight clutch on Jerome's sleeve, "I want to know, young man.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "Look at here," he said, with a tight clutch on Jerome's sleeve, "I want to know, young man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading It was quite easy to see that Simon Basset, whatever motive he might have had in his proposition, was beyond measure terrified at its acceptance.
whereon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The paper which Lawyer Eliphalet Means, standing at the battered and hacked old desk whereon Cyrus Robinson made out his accounts, drew up with a sputtering quill pen--at which he swore under his breath--was as fully elaborated and as formal in every detail as his legal knowledge could make it.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Apostrophizing it openly, before he began, as damned nonsense, he was yet not without a certain delight in the task.
wrinklesnounUS /ˈrɪŋkəlz/
plural of “wrinkle” — a slight depression or fold in the smoothness of a surface
From this reading With his bristling chin dropping nervously, and his forehead contracted with anxious wrinkles, he questioned Jerome.
but in spite of that
From this reading Apostrophizing it openly, before he began, as damned nonsense, he was yet not without a certain delight in the task.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "Look at here," he said, with a tight clutch on Jerome's sleeve, "I want to know, young man.
