used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Gimblet looked at him with a disapproving sternness.
accompanyverbUS /əˈkʌmpəni/
be present or associated with an event or entity
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was walking to and fro before the hearth, another big cigar between his lips.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He was walking to and fro before the hearth, another big cigar between his lips.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Well?" he asked, as the detective entered.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Well?" he asked, as the detective entered.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Gimblet looked at him with a disapproving sternness.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He was walking to and fro before the hearth, another big cigar between his lips.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He was walking to and fro before the hearth, another big cigar between his lips.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was walking to and fro before the hearth, another big cigar between his lips.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading He was walking to and fro before the hearth, another big cigar between his lips.
delicacynounUS /ˈdeləkəsi/
the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading "Well?" he asked, as the detective entered.
disapprovingadjectiveUS /dɪsəˈpruːvɪŋ/
expressing or manifesting disapproval
From this reading Gimblet looked at him with a disapproving sternness.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading "Well?" he asked, as the detective entered.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
set up or found
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was walking to and fro before the hearth, another big cigar between his lips.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
Gimblet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gimblet looked at him with a disapproving sternness.
GregorynounUS /ˈɡreɡəri/
(Roman Catholic Church) a church father known for his constant fight against perceived heresies; a saint and Doctor of the Church (329-391)
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading He was walking to and fro before the hearth, another big cigar between his lips.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was walking to and fro before the hearth, another big cigar between his lips.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
have in mind as a purpose
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
investigationsnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “investigation” — an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading He was walking to and fro before the hearth, another big cigar between his lips.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Gimblet looked at him with a disapproving sternness.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
morning-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
not any; not one
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
refrainedverbUS /rɪˈfreɪnd/
past form of “refrain” — resist doing something
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
term of address for a man
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
sternnessnounUS /ˈstɜːrnnəs/
the quality (as of scenery) being grim and gloomy and forbidding
From this reading Gimblet looked at him with a disapproving sternness.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was walking to and fro before the hearth, another big cigar between his lips.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading He was walking to and fro before the hearth, another big cigar between his lips.
warnverbUS /wɔːrn/
notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was walking to and fro before the hearth, another big cigar between his lips.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well?" he asked, as the detective entered.
which person or people
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the morning-room he found Sir Gregory, who had refrained, with an impatient delicacy, from following him further than the drawing-room.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "If you intend to accompany me further in my investigations, Sir Gregory," he began, "I must warn you that I can allow no smoking.
