used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
annoyancenounUS /əˈnɔɪəns/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
subject to appointment
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading The old noble arose, and a faint color came into his face, while the young man approached and held out his hand.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading The old noble arose, and a faint color came into his face, while the young man approached and held out his hand.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The man answered with profound respect, that no one monsieur expected to see had as yet presented himself.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading The old noble arose, and a faint color came into his face, while the young man approached and held out his hand.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
delayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈleɪd/
not as far along as normal in development
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The man answered with profound respect, that no one monsieur expected to see had as yet presented himself.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The old noble arose, and a faint color came into his face, while the young man approached and held out his hand.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading The old noble arose, and a faint color came into his face, while the young man approached and held out his hand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The old noble arose, and a faint color came into his face, while the young man approached and held out his hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The man answered with profound respect, that no one monsieur expected to see had as yet presented himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The old noble arose, and a faint color came into his face, while the young man approached and held out his hand.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
Mirabeaunoun
French revolutionary who was prominent in the early days of the French Revolution (1749-1791)
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”
From this reading The man answered with profound respect, that no one monsieur expected to see had as yet presented himself.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
not any; not one
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading The old noble arose, and a faint color came into his face, while the young man approached and held out his hand.
oakenadjective
consisting of or made of wood of the oak tree
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
obediencenounUS /oʊˈbiːdiəns/
the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
obsequiouslyadverb
in an obsequious manner
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The old noble arose, and a faint color came into his face, while the young man approached and held out his hand.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The man answered with profound respect, that no one monsieur expected to see had as yet presented himself.
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading The man answered with profound respect, that no one monsieur expected to see had as yet presented himself.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading The man answered with profound respect, that no one monsieur expected to see had as yet presented himself.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
saloonnounUS /səˈluːn/
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
Identical; not different.
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The man answered with profound respect, that no one monsieur expected to see had as yet presented himself.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
stair-case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
strodeverbUS /stroʊd/
inflected form of “stride” — walk with long steps
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
at the time that
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading An old man sat in the saloon of a hotel in Paris, awaiting an interview which had been delayed beyond the appointed time, a fact that seemed to give him no little annoyance.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the man was speaking, a loud, ringing step was heard on the oaken stair-case, and Count Mirabeau strode up to the door, which was obsequiously held open for his reception.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He rang the bell upon his table with violence the third time; and when the servant came, in obedience to his summons, asked if any one had called—a question the same man had already answered three times that morning.
but in spite of that
From this reading The man answered with profound respect, that no one monsieur expected to see had as yet presented himself.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The old noble arose, and a faint color came into his face, while the young man approached and held out his hand.
