used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The headmaster looked at it with a mildly puzzled expression.
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading THE DESTROYER OF EVIDENCE The boot became the centre of attraction, the cynosure of all eyes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The headmaster looked at it with a mildly puzzled expression.
attractionnounUS /əˈtrækʃən/
the force by which one object attracts another
From this reading THE DESTROYER OF EVIDENCE The boot became the centre of attraction, the cynosure of all eyes.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading THE DESTROYER OF EVIDENCE The boot became the centre of attraction, the cynosure of all eyes.
bootnounUS /buːt/
footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading THE DESTROYER OF EVIDENCE The boot became the centre of attraction, the cynosure of all eyes.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
terminate
From this reading Mr. Downing was the first to break the silence.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading THE DESTROYER OF EVIDENCE The boot became the centre of attraction, the cynosure of all eyes.
cynosurenounUS /ˈsaɪnɔːsɜːr/
something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners)
From this reading THE DESTROYER OF EVIDENCE The boot became the centre of attraction, the cynosure of all eyes.
DESTROYERnounUS /dɪˈstrɔɪər/
a small fast lightly armored but heavily armed warship
From this reading THE DESTROYER OF EVIDENCE The boot became the centre of attraction, the cynosure of all eyes.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
DowningnounUS /ˈdaʊnɪŋ/
United States landscape architect who designed the grounds of the White House and the Capitol Building (1815-1852)
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading THE DESTROYER OF EVIDENCE The boot became the centre of attraction, the cynosure of all eyes.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading The headmaster looked at it with a mildly puzzled expression.
eyeglassnounUS /ˈaɪɡlæs/
lens for correcting defective vision in one eye; held in place by facial muscles
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE DESTROYER OF EVIDENCE The boot became the centre of attraction, the cynosure of all eyes.
plural of “feel” — an intuitive awareness
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Mr. Downing was the first to break the silence.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
headmasternounUS /ˈhedˈmæstər/
presiding officer of a school
From this reading The headmaster looked at it with a mildly puzzled expression.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The headmaster looked at it with a mildly puzzled expression.
mildlyadverbUS /ˈmaɪldli/
to a moderate degree
From this reading The headmaster looked at it with a mildly puzzled expression.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DESTROYER OF EVIDENCE The boot became the centre of attraction, the cynosure of all eyes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
Psmith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading The headmaster looked at it with a mildly puzzled expression.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Mr. Downing was the first to break the silence.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DESTROYER OF EVIDENCE The boot became the centre of attraction, the cynosure of all eyes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
totteringadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːtərɪŋ/
unsteady in gait as from infirmity or old age
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Downing was the first to break the silence.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Psmith, putting up his eyeglass, gazed at it with a sort of affectionate interest, as if he were waiting for it to do a trick of some kind.
which person or people
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Downing fixed it with the piercing stare of one who feels that his brain is tottering.
