used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
affablyadverbUS /ˈæfəbli/
in an affable manner
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
agedadjectiveUS /eɪdʒd/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Waving the others to seats, the superintendent called his aged attendant:
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
eagerly desirous
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
approvingnounUS /əˈpruːvɪŋ/
the formal act of approving
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
artificialadjectiveUS /ˌɑːrtəˈfɪʃəl/
contrived by art rather than nature
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
attendantnounUS /əˈtendənt/
someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
From this reading Waving the others to seats, the superintendent called his aged attendant:
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
From this reading "Collins, take Professor Bodley to Parlor B."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
Bodley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Collins, take Professor Bodley to Parlor B."
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Waving the others to seats, the superintendent called his aged attendant:
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
chattingverbUS /ˈtʃætɪŋ/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
CollinsnounUS /ˈkɑːlɪnz/
English writer noted for early detective novels (1824-1889)
From this reading "Collins, take Professor Bodley to Parlor B."
Cooley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
cordialitynoun
a cordial disposition
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
cultivatingverbUS /ˈkʌltɪveɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “cultivate” — foster the growth of
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
accept an excuse for
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
frictionnounUS /ˈfrɪkʃən/
a state of conflict between persons
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
influentialadjectiveUS /ˌɪnfluːˈenʃəl/
having or exercising influence or power
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
loudlyadverbUS /ˈlaʊdli/
with relatively high volume
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
a form of address for a man
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
not any; not one
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waving the others to seats, the superintendent called his aged attendant:
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
ParlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading "Collins, take Professor Bodley to Parlor B."
personagenoun
another word for person; a person not meriting identification
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading "Collins, take Professor Bodley to Parlor B."
be shown or be found to be
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
Ricaby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
seatsnounUS /siːts/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading Waving the others to seats, the superintendent called his aged attendant:
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
superintendentnounUS /ˌsuːpərənˈtendənt/
a person who directs and manages an organization
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
carry out
From this reading "Collins, take Professor Bodley to Parlor B."
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
TodnounUS /tɑːd/
a unit of weight for wool equal to about 28 pounds
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
being of use or service
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
precisely as stated
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
WavingnounUS /ˈweɪvɪŋ/
the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
From this reading Waving the others to seats, the superintendent called his aged attendant:
at the time that
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
which person or people
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
withdrewverbUS /wɪθˈdruː/
inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Tod or Mr. Ricaby, who, anxious to avoid, for the present at least, the slightest excuse for friction, withdrew to the farther end of the office.
witticisms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the gentlemen came in the superintendent was chatting affably with Mr. Cooley, approving everything he said, and laughing loudly at his witticisms, with the forced, artificial cordiality of the man anxious to please.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading The big lawyer was too influential a personage not to be worth cultivating, and there was no telling when he might prove very useful.
