used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
anew
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It was always convenient to Mr. Mears.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
any person at all
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
bowingnounUS /ˈboʊɪŋ/
bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
commercenounUS /ˈkɑːmərs/
transactions (sales and purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and services)
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
conveniencenounUS /kənˈviːnjəns/
the state of being suitable or opportune
From this reading His convenience is her convenience.
convenientadjectiveUS /kənˈviːnjənt/
suited to your comfort or purpose or needs
From this reading It was always convenient to Mr. Mears.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
dotardnoun
an oldster in his dotage; someone whose age has impaired his intellect
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
eminentlyadverbUS /ˈemənəntli/
in an eminent manner
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "Good morning, Mr. Mears.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His convenience is her convenience.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His convenience is her convenience.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His convenience is her convenience.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was always convenient to Mr. Mears.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
Mears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was always convenient to Mr. Mears.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading "Good morning, Mr. Mears.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was always convenient to Mr. Mears.
not any; not one
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
opensnounUS /ˈoʊpənz/
plural of “open” — a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
partnernounUS /ˈpɑːrtnər/
a person's partner in marriage
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Please be seated."
an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
PrivynounUS /ˈprɪvi/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
prosperousadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːspərəs/
in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Please be seated."
shakyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪki/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was always convenient to Mr. Mears.
precisely as stated
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was always convenient to Mr. Mears.
which person or people
From this reading Almost immediately the door opens, and he appears--and very grand he looks, bowing on the threshold; massive and strong again; no shaky dotard, but a vigorous elderly man, who might be mistaken for a partner in a bank, a president of a chamber of commerce, a member of the Privy Council, or anybody eminently prosperous and respectable.
