used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
(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 His garments had been made for him; that was all that could be said.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His garments had been made for him; that was all that could be said.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading The clerk to whom he spoke would inquire.
clothing in general
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
conveyedverbUS /kənˈveɪd/
past form of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on
From this reading His get-up conveyed no information about his social position or means.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His garments had been made for him; that was all that could be said.
counternounUS /ˈkaʊntər/
table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
approval
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
dirtnounUS /dɜːrt/
the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
exceptionallyadverbUS /ɪkˈsepʃənəli/
to an exceptional degree
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
garmentsnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənts/
plural of “garment” — an article of clothing
From this reading His garments had been made for him; that was all that could be said.
get-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His get-up conveyed no information about his social position or means.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
handingverbUS /ˈhændɪŋ/
-ing form of “hand” — place into the hands or custody of
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The clerk to whom he spoke would inquire.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
a message received and understood
From this reading His get-up conveyed no information about his social position or means.
inquireverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪr/
address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading The clerk to whom he spoke would inquire.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
and nothing more
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading His garments had been made for him; that was all that could be said.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading His get-up conveyed no information about his social position or means.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
not any; not one
From this reading His get-up conveyed no information about his social position or means.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading His get-up conveyed no information about his social position or means.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading His get-up conveyed no information about his social position or means.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading His garments had been made for him; that was all that could be said.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
sergenounUS /sɜːrdʒ/
a twilled woolen fabric
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading His get-up conveyed no information about his social position or means.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading The clerk to whom he spoke would inquire.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The clerk to whom he spoke would inquire.
untaintedadjectiveUS /ənˈteɪntɪd/
(of reputation) free from blemishes
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
(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 As he leaned on the counter, waiting for the reply, his appearance was that of a man just off a sea voyage, wearing a suit of clothes well knocked about in a short time, but quite untainted by London dirt.
well-built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The clerk to whom he spoke would inquire.
wiredadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪərd/
equipped with wire or wires especially for electric or telephone service
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The clerk to whom he spoke would inquire.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading An exceptionally well-built man in a blue serge suit walked into a bank in the City, and, handing his card across the counter, asked if credit had been wired for him from New York.
