used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
absentlyadverb
in an absentminded or preoccupied manner
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His rubber sea boots lay on the porch floor as if he had but discarded them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
bestowedverbUS /bɪˈstoʊd/
past form of “bestow” — present
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading His rubber sea boots lay on the porch floor as if he had but discarded them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His rubber sea boots lay on the porch floor as if he had but discarded them.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
clashnounUS /klæʃ/
A violent confrontation or disagreement between opposing forces or factions.
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
courtesynounUS /ˈkɜːrtəsi/
a courteous or respectful or considerate act
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
placed crosswise
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
discardedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɑːrdɪd/
thrown away
From this reading His rubber sea boots lay on the porch floor as if he had but discarded them.
dollarnounUS /ˈdɑːlər/
the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
DustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading His rubber sea boots lay on the porch floor as if he had but discarded them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
a long fixed look
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
Gower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His rubber sea boots lay on the porch floor as if he had but discarded them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His rubber sea boots lay on the porch floor as if he had but discarded them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading His rubber sea boots lay on the porch floor as if he had but discarded them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading His rubber sea boots lay on the porch floor as if he had but discarded them.
for more time
From this reading Gower no longer resembled the well-fed plutocrat.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
MacRae
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
not any; not one
From this reading Gower no longer resembled the well-fed plutocrat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
photographicadjectiveUS /ˌfoʊtəˈɡræfɪk/
relating to photography or obtained by using photography
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
plutocratnounUS /ˈpluːtəkræt/
someone who exercises power by virtue of wealth
From this reading Gower no longer resembled the well-fed plutocrat.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading His rubber sea boots lay on the porch floor as if he had but discarded them.
resembledverbUS /rɪˈzembəld/
past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading Gower no longer resembled the well-fed plutocrat.
restsnounUS /rests/
plural of “rest” — something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
rubbernounUS /ˈrʌbər/
an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products
From this reading His rubber sea boots lay on the porch floor as if he had but discarded them.
saggingadjectiveUS /ˈsæɡɪŋ/
hanging down (as from exhaustion or weakness)
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
Identical; not different.
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
only a very short time before
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading His rubber sea boots lay on the porch floor as if he had but discarded them.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
slipperedadjective
shod with slippers
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
stoolnounUS /stuːl/
a simple seat without a back or arms
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Dead and Dusty Past Gower sat in a deep grass chair, a pipe sagging one corner of his mouth, his slippered feet crossed on a low stool.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His rubber sea boots lay on the porch floor as if he had but discarded them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
well-fedadjective
properly nourished
From this reading Gower no longer resembled the well-fed plutocrat.
at the time that
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
which person or people
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
in the company of; together with
From this reading MacRae took in every detail of his appearance in one photographic glance, as a man will when his gaze rests upon another with whom he may be about to clash.
a late time of life
From this reading He scarcely seemed the same man who, nearly two years before, had absently bestowed upon MacRae a dollar for an act of simple courtesy.
