used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Grimmer looked up with a grin.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading "My dear Billy," she drawled.
a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
CabinetnounUS /ˈkæbənət/
a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
CanonnounUS /ˈkænən/
a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field of art or philosophy
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
daintilyadverbUS /ˈdeɪntəliː/
in a dainty and fastidious manner
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
dearly loved
From this reading "My dear Billy," she drawled.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
drawledverbUS /drɔːld/
past form of “drawl” — lengthen and slow down or draw out
From this reading "My dear Billy," she drawled.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
Ethel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
expectsverbUS /ɪkˈspekts/
third-person singular of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
father-in-lawnounUS /ˈfɑːðərɪnlɔː/
the father of your spouse
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
GrimmeradjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪmər/
comparative of “grim” — not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading Mr. Grimmer looked up with a grin.
grinnounUS /ɡrɪn/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Mr. Grimmer looked up with a grin.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
only a very short time before
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
HonoraryadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnəreri/
given as an honor without the normal duties
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
jokernounUS /ˈdʒoʊkər/
a person who enjoys telling or playing jokes
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Mr. Grimmer looked up with a grin.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Grimmer looked up with a grin.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My dear Billy," she drawled.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
express in words
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "My dear Billy," she drawled.
shockedadjectiveUS /ʃɑːkt/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
express in speech
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
having a supporting base
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mr. Grimmer looked up with a grin.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "That is hardly the way to speak of an Honorary Canon who expects to become a bishop, if his father-in-law lives long enough to get into another Cabinet.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
which person or people
From this reading Ethel, who was standing in front of the fireplace, smoking daintily, tried hard to look shocked.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Grimmer looked up with a grin.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I don't know what the old joker will say if you bring your scheme to a head," he remarked.
