used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading His clerk being absent, he arose and opened it.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His clerk being absent, he arose and opened it.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading His clerk being absent, he arose and opened it.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Is this Mr. Selwyn?” she asked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading His clerk being absent, he arose and opened it.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading His clerk being absent, he arose and opened it.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
to come or go into
From this reading “Will you enter, madam?” he said.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His clerk being absent, he arose and opened it.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Is this Mr. Selwyn?” she asked.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His clerk being absent, he arose and opened it.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading A lady stood before him.
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
a woman of refinement
From this reading “Will you enter, madam?” he said.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading His clerk being absent, he arose and opened it.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Will you enter, madam?” he said.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
Selwyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Is this Mr. Selwyn?” she asked.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A lady stood before him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Is this Mr. Selwyn?” she asked.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
at the time that
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
which person or people
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Will you enter, madam?” he said.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Selwyn, the lawyer who has already been introduced to the reader, sat in his office with a pile of papers before him, when a knock was heard at the door.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Will you enter, madam?” he said.