used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had already assumed a pleasant smile.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading He had already assumed a pleasant smile.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading He had already assumed a pleasant smile.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
braidverbUS /breɪd/
make by braiding or interlacing
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
burnishedadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrnɪʃt/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
buttonedadjectiveUS /ˈbʌtənd/
furnished or closed with buttons or something buttonlike
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
CALABRESSA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CALABRESSA.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
Curzon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
brought together in one place
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
coins made of gold
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
military-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
mustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
Natalie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
Natalushka
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
on one occasion
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading He had already assumed a pleasant smile.
bring forth or yield
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
recognizingverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “recognize” — accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
smartlyadverbUS /ˈsmɑːrtli/
in a clever manner
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He had already assumed a pleasant smile.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
successive (without a break)
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
precisely as stated
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
at the time that
From this reading When Calabressa called at the house in Curzon Street he was at once admitted; Natalie recognizing the name as that of one of her father's old friends.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Calabressa had got himself up very smartly, to produce an impression on the little Natalushka whom he expected to see.
yellow-whiteadjective
of a white tinged with yellow
From this reading His military-looking coat was tightly buttoned; he had burnished up the gold braid of his cap; and as he now ascended the stairs he gathered the ends of his mustache out of his yellow-white beard and curled them round and round his fingers and pulled them out straight.
