used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a mild hum of excitement in the offices of Messrs. Fairbrother.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading The three legatees were among those who watched this business activity with satisfaction.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The three legatees were among those who watched this business activity with satisfaction.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The honeymoon was over, and Mr. George Early had returned.
armchairsnounUS /ˈɑːrmtʃerz/
plural of “armchair” — chair with a support on each side for arms
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
botherverbUS /ˈbɑːðər/
take the trouble to do something; concern oneself
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
calmnessnounUS /ˈkɑːmnəs/
steadiness of mind under stress
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
cigarsnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːrz/
plural of “cigar” — a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
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 The honeymoon was over, and Mr. George Early had returned.
employés
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
every person
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading There was a mild hum of excitement in the offices of Messrs. Fairbrother.
expensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspensɪv/
high in price or charging high prices
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
Fairbrother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a mild hum of excitement in the offices of Messrs. Fairbrother.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading The honeymoon was over, and Mr. George Early had returned.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The honeymoon was over, and Mr. George Early had returned.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
honeymoonnounUS /ˈhʌnimuːn/
a holiday taken by a newly married couple
From this reading The honeymoon was over, and Mr. George Early had returned.
humverbUS /hʌm/
sing with closed lips
From this reading There was a mild hum of excitement in the offices of Messrs. Fairbrother.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a mild hum of excitement in the offices of Messrs. Fairbrother.
intelligentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒənt/
having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
legatees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The three legatees were among those who watched this business activity with satisfaction.
lollingverbUS /ˈlɑːlɪŋ/
-ing form of “loll” — hang loosely or laxly
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
Messrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a mild hum of excitement in the offices of Messrs. Fairbrother.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading There was a mild hum of excitement in the offices of Messrs. Fairbrother.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The honeymoon was over, and Mr. George Early had returned.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a mild hum of excitement in the offices of Messrs. Fairbrother.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
officesnounUS /ˈɔːfəsəz/
plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading There was a mild hum of excitement in the offices of Messrs. Fairbrother.
on one occasion
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The honeymoon was over, and Mr. George Early had returned.
problemsnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
reformedadjectiveUS /rɪˈfɔːrmd/
of or relating to the body of Protestant Christianity arising during the Reformation; used of some Protestant churches especially Calvinist as distinct from Lutheran
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The honeymoon was over, and Mr. George Early had returned.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading The three legatees were among those who watched this business activity with satisfaction.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a mild hum of excitement in the offices of Messrs. Fairbrother.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a mild hum of excitement in the offices of Messrs. Fairbrother.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The three legatees were among those who watched this business activity with satisfaction.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The three legatees were among those who watched this business activity with satisfaction.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
on a floor above
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a mild hum of excitement in the offices of Messrs. Fairbrother.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading The three legatees were among those who watched this business activity with satisfaction.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
which person or people
From this reading Those who had imagined him lolling in the armchairs, smoking expensive cigars, and telling his employés not to bother him but to look after the orders themselves, were more than astonished, and at once came to the conclusion that George Early had reformed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was already sitting in the big upstairs office, discussing business problems with a calmness and intelligent interest that surprised everybody.
