used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “How well you are looking, papa!” said she.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Is the bearer of this below stairs?” asked she, eagerly.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
bearernounUS /ˈberər/
someone whose employment involves carrying something
From this reading “Is the bearer of this below stairs?” asked she, eagerly.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading “Is the bearer of this below stairs?” asked she, eagerly.
burlyadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrli/
muscular and heavily built
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
comforternounUS /ˈkʌmfərtər/
a person who commiserates with someone who has had misfortune
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
confinedadjectiveUS /kənˈfaɪnd/
not invading healthy tissue
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/
past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading “Is the bearer of this below stairs?” asked she, eagerly.
one or the other of two
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
headachenounUS /ˈhedeɪk/
something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Show him in immediately.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
HolmesnounUS /hoʊmz/
a fictitious detective in stories by A. Conan Doyle
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How well you are looking, papa!” said she.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading “Show him in immediately.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Is the bearer of this below stairs?” asked she, eagerly.
jocundadjective
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading “How well you are looking, papa!” said she.
a female domestic
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
maskedadjectiveUS /mæskt/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
a particular point in time
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
MorrisnounUS /ˈmɔːrəs/
United States suffragist in Wyoming (1814-1902)
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
NicholasnounUS /ˈnɪkələs/
a bishop in Asia Minor who is associated with Santa Claus (4th century)
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
a brief written record
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Is the bearer of this below stairs?” asked she, eagerly.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading “How well you are looking, papa!” said she.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “How well you are looking, papa!” said she.
salutingverbUS /səˈluːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “salute” — propose a toast to
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Is the bearer of this below stairs?” asked she, eagerly.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading “Show him in immediately.”
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading “Is the bearer of this below stairs?” asked she, eagerly.
required or under orders
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Is the bearer of this below stairs?” asked she, eagerly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
travelling-dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
unrolledverbUS /ˌʌnˈroʊld/
past form of “unroll” — reverse the winding or twisting of
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
(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 “How well you are looking, papa!” said she.
at the time that
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Morris, supposed to be confined to her room with a bad headache, was engaged in dressing for the masked ball, when a small twisted note was delivered to her by her maid.
woollennounUS /ˈwʊlən/
a fabric made from the hair of sheep
From this reading The next moment, a short, burly figure, in a travelling-dress, entered, and, saluting her with a kiss on either cheek, unrolled his woollen comforter, and displayed the pleasant, jocund features of Mr. Nicholas Holmes.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “How well you are looking, papa!” said she.
