adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.
armnounUS /ɑːrm/
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
bandagesnounUS /ˈbændədʒəz/
plural of “bandage” — a piece of soft material that covers and protects an injured part of the body
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
boreverbUS /bɔːr/
cause to be bored
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
BurnsnounUS /bɜːrnz/
United States comedian and film actor (1896-1996)
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
chirographynoun
beautiful handwriting
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
copynounUS /ˈkɑːpi/
a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
desknounUS /desk/
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It did not get on well.
disgustverbUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/
fill with distaste
From this reading He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.
especiallyadverbUS /əˈspeʃli/
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
fingersnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərz/
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
five-year-oldadjective
five years of age
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
fixingnounUS /ˈfɪksɪŋ/
the act of putting something in working order again
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
gazedverbUS /ɡeɪzd/
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It did not get on well.
glancedverbUS /ɡlænst/
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
inneradjectiveUS /ˈɪnər/
located inward
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
inscribingverbUS /ˌɪnˈskraɪbɪŋ/
-ing form of “inscribe” — carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It did not get on well.
laboriouslyadverbUS /ləˈbɔːriəsli/
in a laborious manner
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
limpverbUS /lɪmp/
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
linesnounUS /laɪnz/
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It did not get on well.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It did not get on well.
PnounUS /piː/
a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
person'snounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/
possessive form of “person” — a human being
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
protruded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
RnounUS /ɑːr/
a unit of radiation exposure; the dose of ionizing radiation that will produce 1 electrostatic unit of electricity in 1 cc of dry air
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
resemblancenounUS /rɪˈzembləns/
similarity in appearance or external or superficial details
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
resentfullyadverb
with resentment; in a resentful manner
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
scriptnounUS /skrɪpt/
a written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
sheetnounUS /ʃiːt/
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.
slightestadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪtəst/
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
sling-supported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
stylenounUS /staɪl/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
succeededverbUS /səkˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
ThenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/
unusual or unfamiliar
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
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 It did not get on well.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
whitenessnounUS /ˈwaɪtnəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)
From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
