used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
accentsnounUS /ˈæksents/
plural of “accent” — distinctive manner of oral expression
From this reading "Evening, Bob," he said, in stricken accents.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading In response to his invitation it opened slowly, and a small middle-aged man of doleful aspect entered softly and closed it behind him.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading In response to his invitation it opened slowly, and a small middle-aged man of doleful aspect entered softly and closed it behind him.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading "Evening, Bob," he said, in stricken accents.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading R. Robert Clarkson sat by his fire, smoking thoughtfully.
Clarkson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading R. Robert Clarkson sat by his fire, smoking thoughtfully.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading In response to his invitation it opened slowly, and a small middle-aged man of doleful aspect entered softly and closed it behind him.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
the act of departing
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
having the place or position changed
From this reading His meditations were disturbed by a low knocking on the front door, which opened on to the street.
dolefuladjectiveUS /ˈdoʊlfəl/
filled with or evoking sadness
From this reading In response to his invitation it opened slowly, and a small middle-aged man of doleful aspect entered softly and closed it behind him.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading His meditations were disturbed by a low knocking on the front door, which opened on to the street.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading In response to his invitation it opened slowly, and a small middle-aged man of doleful aspect entered softly and closed it behind him.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading "Evening, Bob," he said, in stricken accents.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
start firing a weapon
From this reading R. Robert Clarkson sat by his fire, smoking thoughtfully.
fragilitynounUS /frəˈdʒɪləti/
quality of being easily damaged or destroyed
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading His meditations were disturbed by a low knocking on the front door, which opened on to the street.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Evening, Bob," he said, in stricken accents.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In response to his invitation it opened slowly, and a small middle-aged man of doleful aspect entered softly and closed it behind him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading R. Robert Clarkson sat by his fire, smoking thoughtfully.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
inconveniencenounUS /ˌɪnkənˈviːnjəns/
an inconvenient discomfort
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading In response to his invitation it opened slowly, and a small middle-aged man of doleful aspect entered softly and closed it behind him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In response to his invitation it opened slowly, and a small middle-aged man of doleful aspect entered softly and closed it behind him.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading His meditations were disturbed by a low knocking on the front door, which opened on to the street.
lifelongadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪˈflɔːŋ/
continuing through life
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading His meditations were disturbed by a low knocking on the front door, which opened on to the street.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
meditationsnounUS /ˌmedɪˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “meditation” — continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
From this reading His meditations were disturbed by a low knocking on the front door, which opened on to the street.
middle-agedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəleɪɡd/
being roughly between 45 and 65 years old
From this reading In response to his invitation it opened slowly, and a small middle-aged man of doleful aspect entered softly and closed it behind him.
a form of address for a man
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
musingnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪŋ/
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
neighbournounUS /ˈneɪbər/
a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
obsequies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading His meditations were disturbed by a low knocking on the front door, which opened on to the street.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
RnounUS /ɑːr/
a unit of radiation exposure; the dose of ionizing radiation that will produce 1 electrostatic unit of electricity in 1 cc of dry air
From this reading R. Robert Clarkson sat by his fire, smoking thoughtfully.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading In response to his invitation it opened slowly, and a small middle-aged man of doleful aspect entered softly and closed it behind him.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading R. Robert Clarkson sat by his fire, smoking thoughtfully.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Evening, Bob," he said, in stricken accents.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading R. Robert Clarkson sat by his fire, smoking thoughtfully.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading In response to his invitation it opened slowly, and a small middle-aged man of doleful aspect entered softly and closed it behind him.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In response to his invitation it opened slowly, and a small middle-aged man of doleful aspect entered softly and closed it behind him.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading R. Robert Clarkson sat by his fire, smoking thoughtfully.
with low volume
From this reading In response to his invitation it opened slowly, and a small middle-aged man of doleful aspect entered softly and closed it behind him.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading His meditations were disturbed by a low knocking on the front door, which opened on to the street.
strickenadjectiveUS /ˈstrɪkən/
grievously affected especially by disease
From this reading "Evening, Bob," he said, in stricken accents.
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His lifelong neighbour and successful rival in love had passed away a few days before, and Mr. Clarkson, fresh from the obsequies, sat musing on the fragility of man and the inconvenience that sometimes attended his departure.
thoughtfullyadverbUS /ˈθɔːtfəli/
in a thoughtful manner
From this reading R. Robert Clarkson sat by his fire, smoking thoughtfully.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His meditations were disturbed by a low knocking on the front door, which opened on to the street.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His meditations were disturbed by a low knocking on the front door, which opened on to the street.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His meditations were disturbed by a low knocking on the front door, which opened on to the street.
