used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
anew
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Johnny Gray had the letter by the first post.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
dennounUS /den/
the habitation of wild animals
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
without deviation
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
discreetadjectiveUS /dɪˈskriːt/
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
put on clothes
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
one or the other of two
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Johnny Gray had the letter by the first post.
fistsnounUS /fɪsts/
plural of “fist” — a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Johnny Gray had the letter by the first post.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
imperturbableadjective
not easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading Johnny Gray had the letter by the first post.
Legge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Johnny Gray had the letter by the first post.
lion'snounUS /ˈlaɪənz/
possessive form of “lion” — large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
manservantnoun
a man servant
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
obtrudeverbUS /əbˈtruːd/
push to thrust outward
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
parablenounUS /ˈperəbəl/
a short moral story (often with animal characters)
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
ParkernounUS /ˈpɑːrkər/
United States saxophonist and leader of the bop style of jazz (1920-1955)
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading Johnny Gray had the letter by the first post.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
problemsnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
submittingverbUS /səbˈmɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “submit” — refer for judgment or consideration
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
carry out
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
express in words
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
wastepaper-basket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
be dressed in
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
whimsicaladjectiveUS /ˈwɪmzɪkəl/
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
