adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
accustomedadjectiveUS /əˈkʌstəmd/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
acquaintedadjectiveUS /əˈkweɪntɪd/
having fair knowledge of
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
affairsnounUS /əˈferz/
matters of personal concern
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
AfricanadjectiveUS /ˈæfrəkən/
of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading That he should, after all, have won back his lost Madeline seemed altogether too good to be true.
AlbanynounUS /ˈɔːlbəni/
state capital of New York; located in eastern New York State on the west bank of the Hudson river
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
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 That he should, after all, have won back his lost Madeline seemed altogether too good to be true.
altogetheradverbUS /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading That he should, after all, have won back his lost Madeline seemed altogether too good to be true.
amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That he should, after all, have won back his lost Madeline seemed altogether too good to be true.
BottlesnounUS /ˈbɑːtəlz/
plural of “bottle” — a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
brainsnounUS /breɪnz/
plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
brothernounUS /ˈbrʌðər/
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the expectant Under-Secretary was destined to meet with a grievous disappointment, for out of Bottles came no good thing.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But the expectant Under-Secretary was destined to meet with a grievous disappointment, for out of Bottles came no good thing.
clubsnounUS /klʌbz/
plural of “club” — a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
ColoniesnounUS /ˈkɑːləniz/
plural of “colony” — a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
cross-examinationnoun
(law) close questioning of a hostile witness in a court of law to discredit or throw a new light on the testimony already provided in direct examination
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading But the expectant Under-Secretary was destined to meet with a grievous disappointment, for out of Bottles came no good thing.
dineverbUS /daɪn/
have supper; eat dinner
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
disappointmentnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading But the expectant Under-Secretary was destined to meet with a grievous disappointment, for out of Bottles came no good thing.
dressverbUS /dres/
put on clothes
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
Eustace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
expectantadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektənt/
marked by eager anticipation
From this reading But the expectant Under-Secretary was destined to meet with a grievous disappointment, for out of Bottles came no good thing.
experiencedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspɪriənst/
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
figurativelyadverbUS /fɪˈɡjʊrətɪvli/
in a figurative sense
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading That he should, after all, have won back his lost Madeline seemed altogether too good to be true.
graspverbUS /ɡræsp/
hold firmly
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
grievousadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːvəs/
causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm
From this reading But the expectant Under-Secretary was destined to meet with a grievous disappointment, for out of Bottles came no good thing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading That he should, after all, have won back his lost Madeline seemed altogether too good to be true.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
HousenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
hurriedadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːrid/
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
jumpedverbUS /dʒʌmpt/
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
legsnounUS /leɡz/
staying power
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
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 As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading That he should, after all, have won back his lost Madeline seemed altogether too good to be true.
lucknounUS /lʌk/
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
Madeline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That he should, after all, have won back his lost Madeline seemed altogether too good to be true.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
meetverbUS /miːt/
come together
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
misfortunenounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But the expectant Under-Secretary was destined to meet with a grievous disappointment, for out of Bottles came no good thing.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
opportunitynounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But the expectant Under-Secretary was destined to meet with a grievous disappointment, for out of Bottles came no good thing.
overwhelmingadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
passionnounUS /ˈpæʃən/
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
perpetualadjectiveUS /pərˈpetʃuːəl/
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
revulsionnounUS /rɪˈvʌlʃən/
intense aversion
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
rulingnounUS /ˈruːlɪŋ/
the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading That he should, after all, have won back his lost Madeline seemed altogether too good to be true.
severeadjectiveUS /səˈvɪr/
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That he should, after all, have won back his lost Madeline seemed altogether too good to be true.
SirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
SouthnounUS /saʊθ/
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
speakingnounUS /ˈspiːkɪŋ/
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
subjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
suckingnounUS /ˈsʌkɪŋ/
the act of sucking
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading But the expectant Under-Secretary was destined to meet with a grievous disappointment, for out of Bottles came no good thing.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
thoroughlyadverbUS /ˈθɜːroʊli/
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading That he should, after all, have won back his lost Madeline seemed altogether too good to be true.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading That he should, after all, have won back his lost Madeline seemed altogether too good to be true.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
Under-Secretary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading As it happened, Sir Eustace had asked one or two men to meet him, amongst them an Under-Secretary for the Colonies, who, having to prepare for a severe cross-examination in the House upon South African affairs, had jumped at the opportunity of sucking the brains of a man thoroughly acquainted with the subject.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The revulsion of feeling experienced by Bottles as he hurried back to the Albany to dress for dinner—for he was to dine with his brother at one of his clubs that night—was so extraordinary and overwhelming that it took him, figuratively speaking, off his legs.
wonnounUS /wʌn/
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading That he should, after all, have won back his lost Madeline seemed altogether too good to be true.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading As yet his mind, so long accustomed to perpetual misfortune in this, the ruling passion of his life, could not quite grasp his luck.
