used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Stonehenge and another man came over to meet us as we got out--a man I hadn't met before.
agencynounUS /ˈeɪdʒənsi/
an administrative unit of government
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
alumnusnounUS /əˈlʌmnəs/
a person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Stonehenge and another man came over to meet us as we got out--a man I hadn't met before.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Stonehenge and another man came over to meet us as we got out--a man I hadn't met before.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
barbecueverbUS /ˈbɑːrbɪkjuː/
cook outdoors on a barbecue grill
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
DepartmentnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/
a specialized division of a large organization
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
Dumbarton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
the act of consuming food
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
EmbassynounUS /ˈembəsi/
a diplomatic building where ambassadors live or work
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
a boy or man
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Stonehenge and another man came over to meet us as we got out--a man I hadn't met before.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stonehenge and another man came over to meet us as we got out--a man I hadn't met before.
half-Latin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
half-Oriental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
holsters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Stonehenge and another man came over to meet us as we got out--a man I hadn't met before.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Stonehenge and another man came over to meet us as we got out--a man I hadn't met before.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
come together
From this reading Stonehenge and another man came over to meet us as we got out--a man I hadn't met before.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Stonehenge and another man came over to meet us as we got out--a man I hadn't met before.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
OaksnounUS /oʊks/
plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Stonehenge and another man came over to meet us as we got out--a man I hadn't met before.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Stonehenge and another man came over to meet us as we got out--a man I hadn't met before.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
pationounUS /ˈpætioʊ/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
pistolsnounUS /ˈpɪstəlz/
plural of “pistol” — a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
productnounUS /ˈprɑːdəkt/
commodities offered for sale
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
relaxingadjectiveUS /rɪˈlæksɪŋ/
affording physical or mental rest
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
StonehengenounUS /ˈstoʊnhendʒ/
an ancient megalithic monument in southern England; probably used for ritual purposes
From this reading Stonehenge and another man came over to meet us as we got out--a man I hadn't met before.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
TexasnounUS /ˈteksəs/
the second largest state; located in southwestern United States on the Gulf of Mexico
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He didn't look like a Dumbarton Oaks product: I thought he was more likely an alumnus of some private detective agency.
Thrombley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was early evening before we finally managed to get away from the barbecue.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading He was a little fellow, half-Latin, half-Oriental; in New Texas costume and wearing a pair of pistols like mine, in State Department Special Services holsters.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
at the time that
From this reading Thrombley had called the Embassy and told them not to wait dinner for us, so the staff had finished eating and were relaxing in the patio when our car came in through the street gate.
