used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE AMAZEMENT OF SIR HARRY BRACE 'A private inquiry agent!'
an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading THE AMAZEMENT OF SIR HARRY BRACE 'A private inquiry agent!'
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The situation was almost embarrassing.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading THE AMAZEMENT OF SIR HARRY BRACE 'A private inquiry agent!'
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Brace did not know whether to treat the ex-sailor as a madman or as an impudent impostor.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
BalticnounUS /ˈbɔːltɪk/
a sea in northern Europe; stronghold of the Russian navy
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
bandannanoun
large and brightly colored handkerchief; often used as a neckerchief
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
BRACEverbUS /breɪs/
prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
From this reading THE AMAZEMENT OF SIR HARRY BRACE 'A private inquiry agent!'
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Brace did not know whether to treat the ex-sailor as a madman or as an impudent impostor.
having the place or position changed
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
ejaculationnounUS /iˌdʒækjuːˈleɪʃən/
an abrupt emphatic exclamation expressing emotion
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
embarrassingadjectiveUS /ɪmˈberəsɪŋ/
hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment
From this reading The situation was almost embarrassing.
divisible by two
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
ex-sailor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brace did not know whether to treat the ex-sailor as a madman or as an impudent impostor.
the organ of sight
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading THE AMAZEMENT OF SIR HARRY BRACE 'A private inquiry agent!'
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
impostornounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːstər/
a person who makes deceitful pretenses
From this reading Brace did not know whether to treat the ex-sailor as a madman or as an impudent impostor.
impudentadjective
marked by casual disrespect
From this reading Brace did not know whether to treat the ex-sailor as a madman or as an impudent impostor.
a search for knowledge
From this reading THE AMAZEMENT OF SIR HARRY BRACE 'A private inquiry agent!'
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Brace did not know whether to treat the ex-sailor as a madman or as an impudent impostor.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
madmannounUS /ˈmædmæn/
an insane person
From this reading Brace did not know whether to treat the ex-sailor as a madman or as an impudent impostor.
in motion
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
musclenounUS /ˈmʌsəl/
one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Brace did not know whether to treat the ex-sailor as a madman or as an impudent impostor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE AMAZEMENT OF SIR HARRY BRACE 'A private inquiry agent!'
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading THE AMAZEMENT OF SIR HARRY BRACE 'A private inquiry agent!'
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
term of address for a man
From this reading THE AMAZEMENT OF SIR HARRY BRACE 'A private inquiry agent!'
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading The situation was almost embarrassing.
solemnlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːləmli/
in a grave and sedate manner
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE AMAZEMENT OF SIR HARRY BRACE 'A private inquiry agent!'
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Brace did not know whether to treat the ex-sailor as a madman or as an impudent impostor.
interact in a certain way
From this reading Brace did not know whether to treat the ex-sailor as a madman or as an impudent impostor.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
someone who visits
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The situation was almost embarrassing.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Brace did not know whether to treat the ex-sailor as a madman or as an impudent impostor.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
winkingnounUS /ˈwɪŋkɪŋ/
a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sir Harry jumped up from his chair with an angry look, and a sharp ejaculation, neither of which disturbed his visitor.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading With his red bandanna handkerchief spread on his knees, and his straw hat resting on the handkerchief, Baltic looked at his flushed host calmly and solemnly without moving a muscle, or even winking an eye.
