used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
beernounUS /bɪr/
a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
beer-drinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
celebratingverbUS /ˈseləbreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “celebrate” — behave as expected during of holidays or rites
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
coincidencenounUS /koʊˈɪnsɪdəns/
an event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental
From this reading Obviously it is no more than the sheerest coincidence.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
the specified day of the month
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
deduceverbUS /dɪˈduːs/
reason by deduction; establish by deduction
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
the act of consuming liquids
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
dugnounUS /dʌɡ/
an udder or breast or teat
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
ecclesiasticaladjectiveUS /ɪˌkliːziˈæstɪkəl/
of or associated with a church (especially a Christian Church)
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
fifthnounUS /fɪfθ/
a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
a single distinct event
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
infrequentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfriːkwənt/
not frequent; not occurring regularly or at short intervals
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Obviously it is no more than the sheerest coincidence.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Obviously it is no more than the sheerest coincidence.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
the force of workers available
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Obviously it is no more than the sheerest coincidence.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
information about recent and important events
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
not any; not one
From this reading Obviously it is no more than the sheerest coincidence.
ObviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Obviously it is no more than the sheerest coincidence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
peculiarlyadverbUS /pɪˈkjuːljərli/
uniquely or characteristically
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
public-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
sheerest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obviously it is no more than the sheerest coincidence.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
statedadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtɪd/
declared as fact; explicitly stated
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
stimulantnounUS /ˈstɪmjələnt/
any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Obviously it is no more than the sheerest coincidence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
travel-stainedadjective
soiled from travel
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
twenty-fourthadjective
coming next after the twenty-third in position
From this reading (I) On the morning of the twenty-fourth a curious little incident happened--I dug the facts out of the police news--in a small public-house on the outskirts of South London.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
which person or people
From this reading However, as they were about to part, there entered to them a fifth, travel-stained and tired, who sat down and demanded some stronger form of stimulant.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Four men were drinking a friendly glass of beer together on their way back to work from breakfast.
zealnounUS /ziːl/
a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
From this reading Their ecclesiastical zeal seems to have been peculiarly strong, for they distinctly stated that they were celebrating Christmas on that date, and I deduce from that statement that beer-drinking was comparatively infrequent with them.
