used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Reaching the sidewalk, he passed through the gate and was confronted by Whistler.
celeritynounUS /səˈlerəti/
a rate that is rapid
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
combinationnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃən/
a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
confrontedverbUS /kənˈfrʌntəd/
past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading Reaching the sidewalk, he passed through the gate and was confronted by Whistler.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading DASHINGTON DASHED.
DASHINGTON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DASHINGTON DASHED.
diamondsnounUS /ˈdaɪməndz/
plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
move gently or carefully
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
featherverbUS /ˈfeðər/
join tongue and groove, in carpentry
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Reaching the sidewalk, he passed through the gate and was confronted by Whistler.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
happilyadverbUS /ˈhæpəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
haulverbUS /hɔːl/
draw slowly or heavily
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
engage in
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
overhaulverbUS /ˈoʊvərhɔːl/
travel past
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Reaching the sidewalk, he passed through the gate and was confronted by Whistler.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading Reaching the sidewalk, he passed through the gate and was confronted by Whistler.
possessing material wealth
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
sidewalknounUS /ˈsaɪdwɔːk/
walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway
From this reading Reaching the sidewalk, he passed through the gate and was confronted by Whistler.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Reaching the sidewalk, he passed through the gate and was confronted by Whistler.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A combination of circumstances had enabled him to make a rich haul, and to make it with an ease and celerity that surprised him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
WhistlernounUS /ˈwɪslər/
United States painter (1834-1903)
From this reading Reaching the sidewalk, he passed through the gate and was confronted by Whistler.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Joe Dashington was in fine feather as he left the house with the bag of diamonds.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He half expected that some one would overhaul him and stop him before he got out of the house, but in this he was happily disappointed.
