used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
on or to one side
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
make calm or still
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
clickingverbUS /ˈklɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “click” — move or strike with a noise
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Steadily and rapidly he did his work, and steadily the little heap of typewritten pages at his right hand mounted higher and higher still.
diffusedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfjuːzd/
(of light rays) subjected to scattering by reflection from a rough surface or transmission through a translucent material
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
disordernounUS /dɪˈsɔːrdər/
a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
one or the other of two
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
FINANCEnounUS /fəˈnæns/
the commercial activity of providing funds and capital
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
moving swiftly
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
furiouslyadverbUS /ˈfjʊriəsli/
(of the elements) in a wild and stormy manner
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
Gordon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Steadily and rapidly he did his work, and steadily the little heap of typewritten pages at his right hand mounted higher and higher still.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading Steadily and rapidly he did his work, and steadily the little heap of typewritten pages at his right hand mounted higher and higher still.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading Steadily and rapidly he did his work, and steadily the little heap of typewritten pages at his right hand mounted higher and higher still.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
ill-smellingadjective
having an unpleasant smell
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
jottings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
keysnounUS /kiːz/
plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
lackingadjectiveUS /ˈlækɪŋ/
inadequate in amount or degree
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
litteredadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtərd/
filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Steadily and rapidly he did his work, and steadily the little heap of typewritten pages at his right hand mounted higher and higher still.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
memorandanounUS /ˌmemərˈændə/
a written proposal or reminder
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
the force of workers available
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading Steadily and rapidly he did his work, and steadily the little heap of typewritten pages at his right hand mounted higher and higher still.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
on one occasion
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading Steadily and rapidly he did his work, and steadily the little heap of typewritten pages at his right hand mounted higher and higher still.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
perspiringverbUS /pərˈspaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “perspire” — excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
with speed
From this reading Steadily and rapidly he did his work, and steadily the little heap of typewritten pages at his right hand mounted higher and higher still.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
reekverbUS /riːk/
have an element suggestive (of something)
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Steadily and rapidly he did his work, and steadily the little heap of typewritten pages at his right hand mounted higher and higher still.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
the act of searching for something
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
seizingnounUS /ˈsiːzɪŋ/
small stuff that is used for lashing two or more ropes together
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
semblancenounUS /ˈsembləns/
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
shadesnounUS /ʃeɪdz/
(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading Steadily and rapidly he did his work, and steadily the little heap of typewritten pages at his right hand mounted higher and higher still.
not in physical motion
From this reading Steadily and rapidly he did his work, and steadily the little heap of typewritten pages at his right hand mounted higher and higher still.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
tearingnounUS /ˈterɪŋ/
shedding tears
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The shades were drawn, and the lamp on the table diffused at one and the same time light, heat, and a reek of ill-smelling oil.
very small
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
transcribingverbUS /trænˈskraɪbɪŋ/
-ing form of “transcribe” — write out from speech, notes, etc.
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
typewriter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
typewrittenverbUS /ˈtaɪprɪtən/
inflected form of “typewrite” — write by means of a keyboard with types
From this reading Steadily and rapidly he did his work, and steadily the little heap of typewritten pages at his right hand mounted higher and higher still.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
vestverbUS /vest/
provide with power and authority
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A scattered mass of papers, notes, jottings, memoranda, littered the room, and from the midst of this disorder Gordon, flushed, perspiring, for once lacking his usual calm, was seeking to bring about some semblance of system and order.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Seated at the table, coat and vest tossed aside, he went through a regular routine, seizing on a paper and reading it through, then either tearing it up and tossing it aside, or transcribing its contents, his fingers flying furiously over the typewriter's clicking keys.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A QUESTION OF FINANCE The three men were seated together in Gordon's tiny room in the hotel.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Steadily and rapidly he did his work, and steadily the little heap of typewritten pages at his right hand mounted higher and higher still.
