used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Curtin with an alarm clock!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
any thing at all
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
from appearances alone
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
Bagsbury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
Bagsbury's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
cashiernounUS /kæˈʃɪr/
an employee of a bank who receives and pays out money
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
Curtin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
Curtin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
Dorlin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
employeesnounUS /emˈplɔɪiz/
plural of “employee” — a worker who is hired to perform a job
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
JacksonnounUS /ˈdʒæksən/
English film actress who later became a member of British Parliament (born in 1936)
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
jocularadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɑːkjələr/
characterized by jokes and good humor
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
engage in
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
and nothing more
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
principallyadverbUS /ˈprɪnsɪpli/
for the most part
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
RidiculouslyadverbUS /rəˈdɪkjələsli/
so as to arouse or deserve laughter
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
speculationsnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “speculation” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
SPYverbUS /spaɪ/
catch sight of
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ridiculously early, too; not only before his own hour, which was any time in the middle of the morning, but before John Bagsbury himself appeared, or Jackson, the cashier.
which person or people
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Curtin with an alarm clock!
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading There was no visible press of work which seemed to demand Curtin’s attention, for he stood about in a lost way, apparently unable to make up his mind to do anything.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading Every one who passed Jack Dorlin’s desk paused to make jocular speculations, principally to the effect that Curtin’s alarm clock must have gone wrong.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading THE SPY Next morning Bagsbury’s bank had a joke, that is, the younger and less serious employees thought they had a joke,--Curtin had come down early.
