used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NATION OR A CHURCH?
(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 All the same, I have not been idle--I have been thinking.”
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All the same, I have not been idle--I have been thinking.”
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading A NATION OR A CHURCH?
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
documentsnounUS /ˈdɑːkjəmənts/
plural of “document” — writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
echoingadjectiveUS /ˈekoʊɪŋ/
(of sounds) repeating by reflection
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
engrossedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊst/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
equerrynoun
an official charged with the care of the horses of princes or nobles
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
feignedadjectiveUS /feɪnd/
not genuine
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
greetedverbUS /ˈɡriːtəd/
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
not in action or at work
From this reading All the same, I have not been idle--I have been thinking.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
intrudernounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
Launay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
without good reason
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
for more time
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading A NATION OR A CHURCH?
not any; not one
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading All the same, I have not been idle--I have been thinking.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A NATION OR A CHURCH?
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
perusingnounUS /pərˈuːzɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
queriedverbUS /ˈkwɪrid/
inflected form of “query” — pose a question
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
reseated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
respectfuladjectiveUS /rɪˈspektfəl/
full of or exhibiting respect
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
Identical; not different.
From this reading All the same, I have not been idle--I have been thinking.”
only a very short time before
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
term of address for a man
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
in the near future
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading All the same, I have not been idle--I have been thinking.”
Time'snounUS /taɪmz/
possessive form of “time” — an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading An approaching step echoing on the marble terrace warned him that he was no longer alone.
which person or people
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
writing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He reseated himself at his writing-table, and feigned to be deeply engrossed in perusing various documents, but a ready smile greeted the intruder as soon as he perceived who it was,--one Sir Roger de Launay, his favourite equerry and intimate personal friend.
but in spite of that
From this reading “Time’s up, is it, Roger?” he queried lightly,--then as the equerry bowed in respectful silence--“And yet I have scarcely glanced at these papers!
