used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
abstractedlyadverb
in an absentminded or preoccupied manner
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "Not at all, I should say," said Mr. Curtis.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "What sort of man," he asked presently, "is this Leonard Wolfe?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Not at all, I should say," said Mr. Curtis.
attentiveadjectiveUS /əˈtentɪv/
(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
CurtisnounUS /ˈkɜːrtəs/
English botanical writer and publisher (1746-1799)
From this reading "Not at all, I should say," said Mr. Curtis.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading Is he a fool, for instance?"
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Not at all, I should say," said Mr. Curtis.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Obviously he is a low scoundrel, but what is he like in other respects?
an occurrence of something
From this reading Is he a fool, for instance?"
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What sort of man," he asked presently, "is this Leonard Wolfe?
LeonardnounUS /ˈlenərd/
United States writer of thrillers (born in 1925)
From this reading "What sort of man," he asked presently, "is this Leonard Wolfe?
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Obviously he is a low scoundrel, but what is he like in other respects?
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Obviously he is a low scoundrel, but what is he like in other respects?
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "What sort of man," he asked presently, "is this Leonard Wolfe?
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Not at all, I should say," said Mr. Curtis.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
ObviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Obviously he is a low scoundrel, but what is he like in other respects?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "What sort of man," he asked presently, "is this Leonard Wolfe?
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Obviously he is a low scoundrel, but what is he like in other respects?
pacingnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/
(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
a course of conduct
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
in the near future
From this reading "What sort of man," he asked presently, "is this Leonard Wolfe?
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
respectsnounUS /rɪˈspekts/
(often used with “pay”) a formal expression of esteem
From this reading Obviously he is a low scoundrel, but what is he like in other respects?
roved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Not at all, I should say," said Mr. Curtis.
express in words
From this reading "Not at all, I should say," said Mr. Curtis.
scoundrelnounUS /ˈskaʊndrəl/
a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately
From this reading Obviously he is a low scoundrel, but what is he like in other respects?
searchingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "Not at all, I should say," said Mr. Curtis.
shrubsnounUS /ʃrʌbz/
plural of “shrub” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading "What sort of man," he asked presently, "is this Leonard Wolfe?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "What sort of man," he asked presently, "is this Leonard Wolfe?
Thorndyke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What sort of man," he asked presently, "is this Leonard Wolfe?
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Thorndyke remained silent for a while, pacing slowly along the gravel path, with his eyes bent on the ground: not abstractedly, however, but with a searching, attentive glance that roved amongst the shrubs and bushes, as though he were looking for something.
WolfenounUS /wʊlf/
United States writer who has written extensively on American culture (born in 1931)
From this reading "What sort of man," he asked presently, "is this Leonard Wolfe?
