Chapter XXX · Chapter 30

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading "Just run to the doctor's, sir," she answered.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Where is the boy?" he asked.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

a youthful male person

From this reading "Where is the boy?" he asked.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading Now comes the strange part of my story.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

the appearance conveyed by a person's face

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading "Just run to the doctor's, sir," she answered.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

apart from; not including

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

the organ of sight

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

a female domestic

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "Where is the boy?" he asked.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

and nothing more

From this reading "Just run to the doctor's, sir," she answered.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

a female domestic

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

a form of address for a man

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Now comes the strange part of my story.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now comes the strange part of my story.

the act of making and recording a measurement

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Now comes the strange part of my story.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

being in force or having or exerting force

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Now comes the strange part of my story.

by chance

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

past form of “rouse” — become active

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading "Just run to the doctor's, sir," she answered.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Just run to the doctor's, sir," she answered.

term of address for a man

From this reading "Just run to the doctor's, sir," she answered.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Now comes the strange part of my story.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Now comes the strange part of my story.

in a strange manner

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Now comes the strange part of my story.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

at the time that

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

in or at the place that

From this reading "Where is the boy?" he asked.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading One evening the housemaid opened the door to Mr. Dempster on his return from the city; and perhaps the fact that it was the maid, and not the page as usual, roused his observation, which, except in business matters, was not remarkably operative.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading He glanced at the young woman, when an eye far less keen than his could not have failed to remark a strangely excited expression on her countenance.