adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
artisticadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
relating to or characteristic of art or artists
From this reading But the other two letters were evidently written by a man of literary and artistic sense, possessing imagination and a liking for effect.
artistrynounUS /ˈɑːrtɪstri/
a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
Audrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
banksnounUS /bæŋks/
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the other two letters were evidently written by a man of literary and artistic sense, possessing imagination and a liking for effect.
BYprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
caligraphy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
carelessadjectiveUS /ˈkerləs/
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
characteristicsnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪks/
plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
comesnounUS /kʌmz/
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
commercialadjectiveUS /kəˈmɜːrʃəl/
connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/
under normal conditions
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
commonplaceadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
declareverbUS /dɪˈkler/
state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading It needed no expert in handwriting to declare that two totally different individuals had written those letters.
deeplyadverbUS /ˈdiːpli/
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
Dennie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
denoteverbUS /dɪˈnoʊt/
be a sign or indication of
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading It needed no expert in handwriting to declare that two totally different individuals had written those letters.
downstrokenoun
a stroke normally made in a downward direction
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading But the other two letters were evidently written by a man of literary and artistic sense, possessing imagination and a liking for effect.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
evidentlyadverbUS /ˈevədəntli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading But the other two letters were evidently written by a man of literary and artistic sense, possessing imagination and a liking for effect.
expertadjectiveUS /ˈekspərt/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading It needed no expert in handwriting to declare that two totally different individuals had written those letters.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
handedadjectiveUS /ˈhændəd/
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading It needed no expert in handwriting to declare that two totally different individuals had written those letters.
imaginationnounUS /ˌɪmædʒəˈneɪʃən/
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
individualsnounUS /ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒəwəlz/
plural of “individual” — a human being
From this reading It needed no expert in handwriting to declare that two totally different individuals had written those letters.
interestedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪd/
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
lackingadjectiveUS /ˈlækɪŋ/
inadequate in amount or degree
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
liftedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪftəd/
held up in the air
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
likingnounUS /ˈlaɪkɪŋ/
a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment
From this reading But the other two letters were evidently written by a man of literary and artistic sense, possessing imagination and a liking for effect.
listenersnounUS /ˈlɪsənərz/
plural of “listener” — someone who listens attentively
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading But the other two letters were evidently written by a man of literary and artistic sense, possessing imagination and a liking for effect.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But the other two letters were evidently written by a man of literary and artistic sense, possessing imagination and a liking for effect.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
neednounUS /niːd/
a condition requiring relief
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
neededadjectiveUS /ˈniːdəd/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading It needed no expert in handwriting to declare that two totally different individuals had written those letters.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It needed no expert in handwriting to declare that two totally different individuals had written those letters.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
officesnounUS /ˈɔːfəsəz/
plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
ordinarynounUS /ˈɔːrdəneri/
a judge of a probate court
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
pennedverbUS /pend/
inflected form of “pen” — produce a literary work
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
plainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
possessingverbUS /pəˈzesɪŋ/
-ing form of “possess” — have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading But the other two letters were evidently written by a man of literary and artistic sense, possessing imagination and a liking for effect.
PRIVATEadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
shopsnounUS /ʃɑːps/
plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
stylenounUS /staɪl/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
sufficientadjectiveUS /səˈfɪʃənt/
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
supposedadjectiveUS /səˈpoʊzd/
required or under orders
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It needed no expert in handwriting to declare that two totally different individuals had written those letters.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
totallyadverbUS /ˈtoʊtəli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It needed no expert in handwriting to declare that two totally different individuals had written those letters.
TREATYnounUS /ˈtriːti/
a written agreement between two states or sovereigns
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
upstrokenoun
a stroke normally made in an upward direction
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
utterlyadverbUS /ˈʌtərli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The letter which Audrey had handed to Mr. Dennie was penned in the style commonly known as commercial--plain, commonplace, utterly lacking in the characteristics which are supposed to denote imagination and a sense of artistry.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading It was the sort of caligraphy which one comes across every day in shops and offices and banks--there was nothing in any upstroke, downstroke or letter which lifted it from the very ordinary.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the other two letters were evidently written by a man of literary and artistic sense, possessing imagination and a liking for effect.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading BY PRIVATE TREATY There was little need for the three deeply interested listeners to look long at the letters--one glance was sufficient to show even a careless eye that the hand which had written one of them had certainly not written the other two.
