used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
in addition
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
appartement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "If I drive the nail here, boy, will you be satisfied?
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
BlakenounUS /bleɪk/
visionary British poet and painter (1757-1827)
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
a youthful male person
From this reading "If I drive the nail here, boy, will you be satisfied?
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
brass-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
coffee-pot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
distinctnessnoun
the quality of being sharp and clear
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading "If I drive the nail here, boy, will you be satisfied?
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
evidencesnounUS /ˈevədənsəz/
plural of “evidence” — your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
fifth-floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
start firing a weapon
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
hammernounUS /ˈhæmər/
the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "If I drive the nail here, boy, will you be satisfied?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "If I drive the nail here, boy, will you be satisfied?
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon my word, it's the last place I'll try!"
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If I drive the nail here, boy, will you be satisfied?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon my word, it's the last place I'll try!"
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
immediately past
From this reading Upon my word, it's the last place I'll try!"
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
manualnounUS /ˈmænjuːəl/
a small handbook
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
MaxnounUS /mæks/
street names for gamma hydroxybutyrate
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Upon my word, it's the last place I'll try!"
nailverbUS /neɪl/
attach something somewhere by means of nails
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
oaknounUS /oʊk/
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
perchnounUS /pɜːrtʃ/
support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
a human being
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Upon my word, it's the last place I'll try!"
precariousadjectiveUS /priˈkeriəs/
affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
protruded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
salonnounUS /səˈlɑːn/
gallery where works of art can be displayed
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading "If I drive the nail here, boy, will you be satisfied?
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
surveyedverbUS /sərˈveɪd/
past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading Upon my word, it's the last place I'll try!"
unfurnishedadjective
not equipped with what is needed especially furniture
From this reading From a distinctly precarious perch--one foot on the back of a chair, the other on an oak chest--Blake surveyed the unfurnished _salon_ of the fifth-floor _appartement_.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon my word, it's the last place I'll try!"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading His coat was off, in one dusty hand he held a hammer, in the other a picture, while from between his lips protruded a brass-headed nail.
which person or people
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "If I drive the nail here, boy, will you be satisfied?
in the company of; together with
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading He spoke with what dignity and distinctness he could command, but the effect was lost upon Max, who, also dusty, also bearing upon his person the evidences of manual labor, was crouching over a wood fire, intent upon the contents of a brass coffee-pot.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Upon my word, it's the last place I'll try!"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "If I drive the nail here, boy, will you be satisfied?
