used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
academynounUS /əˈkæd.ə.mi/
A place of study or training in a special field of knowledge and arts.
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
adornmentnounUS /əˈdɔːrnmənt/
a decoration of color or interest that is added to relieve plainness
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
the two together, not just one
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
caringnounUS /ˈkerɪŋ/
a loving feeling
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
condescendinglyadverb
with condescension; in a patronizing manner
From this reading "Take a seat, Frank," said Mark, condescendingly.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In particular, he had a weakness for new neckties, in which he indulged himself freely.
set up or found
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
in a free manner
From this reading In particular, he had a weakness for new neckties, in which he indulged himself freely.
good-lookingadjectiveUS /ˈɡʊdlʊkɪŋ/
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In particular, he had a weakness for new neckties, in which he indulged himself freely.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In particular, he had a weakness for new neckties, in which he indulged himself freely.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
indulgedverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒd/
past form of “indulge” — give free rein to
From this reading In particular, he had a weakness for new neckties, in which he indulged himself freely.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
necktienounUS /ˈnektaɪ/
neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
necktiesnounUS /ˈnektaɪz/
plural of “necktie” — neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading In particular, he had a weakness for new neckties, in which he indulged himself freely.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
not any; not one
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
objectedverbUS /əbˈdʒektəd/
past form of “object” — express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading In particular, he had a weakness for new neckties, in which he indulged himself freely.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Take a seat, Frank," said Mark, condescendingly.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading "Take a seat, Frank," said Mark, condescendingly.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
carry out
From this reading "Take a seat, Frank," said Mark, condescendingly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
hard to endure
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
precisely as stated
From this reading Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and spent no little time on personal adornment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading In particular, he had a weakness for new neckties, in which he indulged himself freely.
at the time that
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
in or at the place that
From this reading A NEW PLAN Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In particular, he had a weakness for new neckties, in which he indulged himself freely.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to himself--no one caring to room with him.
