used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
(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 Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
Ardsley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
a person who is in charge
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
ClintonnounUS /ˈklɪntən/
wife of President Clinton and later a woman member of the United States Senate (1947-)
From this reading Sir Clinton inquired, though the question was needless.
comforternounUS /ˈkʌmfərtər/
a person who commiserates with someone who has had misfortune
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
ConstablenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəbəl/
a lawman with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
decanternoun
a bottle with a stopper; for serving wine or water
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
any strong feeling
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
endeavouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
Ernest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
flownverbUS /floʊn/
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
Forrest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Miss Forrest isn’t here?”
set up or found
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
Hawkhurst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Miss Forrest isn’t here?”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading Sir Clinton inquired, though the question was needless.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Miss Forrest isn’t here?”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
immediately past
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
MazenounUS /meɪz/
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading “Miss Forrest isn’t here?”
needlessadjectiveUS /ˈniːdləs/
unnecessary and unwarranted
From this reading Sir Clinton inquired, though the question was needless.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Sir Clinton inquired, though the question was needless.
restrainverbUS /riˈstreɪn/
to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
Shandon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Clinton inquired, though the question was needless.
stressnounUS /stres/
the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch)
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
syphonnounUS /ˈsaɪfən/
a tube running from the liquid in a vessel to a lower level outside the vessel so that gravity forces the liquid through the tube
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Sir Clinton inquired, though the question was needless.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading In the stress of his emotion, Ernest seemed to have flown to his usual comforter, for he had a decanter and a syphon at his elbow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
Wendover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Arthur Hawkhurst seemed to be endeavouring to restrain his feelings to the best of his ability; but it was obvious at a glance that his nerves were all on edge.
at the time that
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Last Attack in the Maze When Ardsley and the Chief Constable entered the other room they found Wendover with Ernest Shandon and Arthur.
