adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
affairsnounUS /əˈferz/
matters of personal concern
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/
weapons considered collectively
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
bednounUS /bed/
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
burnedadjectiveUS /bɜːrnd/
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
burningnounUS /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of burning something
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
BurnsnounUS /bɜːrnz/
United States comedian and film actor (1896-1996)
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he needed more than could be given him by things inanimate--needed it woefully.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
cannel-slag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
clocknounUS /klɑːk/
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
comprehendedadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːmprɪˈhendɪd/
fully understood or grasped
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
CynthianounUS /ˈsɪnθiə/
(Greek mythology) the virgin goddess of the hunt and the Moon; daughter of Leto and twin sister of Apollo; identified with Roman Diana
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
desknounUS /desk/
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
easy-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he needed more than could be given him by things inanimate--needed it woefully.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
inanimateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnænəmət/
belonging to the class of nouns denoting nonliving things
From this reading But he needed more than could be given him by things inanimate--needed it woefully.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But he needed more than could be given him by things inanimate--needed it woefully.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
kind-heartedadjective
having or proceeding from an innately kind disposition
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
lumpsnounUS /lʌmps/
plural of “lump” — a compact mass
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
midnightnounUS /ˈmɪdnaɪt/
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But he needed more than could be given him by things inanimate--needed it woefully.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
neededadjectiveUS /ˈniːdəd/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading But he needed more than could be given him by things inanimate--needed it woefully.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
night-lightnoun
light (as a candle or small bulb) that burns in a bedroom at night (as for children or invalids)
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
pointingverbUS /ˈpɔɪntɪŋ/
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
positionnounUS /pəˈzɪʃən/
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
pulledverbUS /pʊld/
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
signsnounUS /saɪnz/
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
smoulderingadjective
showing scarcely suppressed anger
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But he needed more than could be given him by things inanimate--needed it woefully.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But he needed more than could be given him by things inanimate--needed it woefully.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
usenounUS /juːs/
the act of using
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading The fire in the office fireplace, kept bright until nearly midnight, when his housekeeper had given up waiting for him and gone to bed, had burned to a few smouldering lumps of cannel-slag.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
watchingnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃɪŋ/
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
welladverbUS /wel/
(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 All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The hands of the office clock were pointing to half after two, on a certain September night, when Burns came into his office, alone.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
woefullyadverbUS /ˈwoʊfəli/
in an unfortunate or deplorable manner
From this reading But he needed more than could be given him by things inanimate--needed it woefully.
wornverbUS /wɔːrn/
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading A big leather easy-chair, its arms worn with much use, had been pulled into an inviting position before the fireplace, and the night-light by the desk was burning, as usual.
wrongadjectiveUS /rɔːŋ/
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading All that could be expected had been done by the kind-hearted Cynthia, who comprehended, by signs she knew well and had been watching for several days, that affairs were going wrong with her employer.
