used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
(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 He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
briarnounUS /ˈbraɪər/
Eurasian rose with prickly stems and fragrant leaves and bright pink flowers followed by scarlet hips
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
curlingnounUS /ˈkɜːrlɪŋ/
a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
detective'snounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
possessive form of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading The great detective's pipe had gone out.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
one or the other of two
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
brought together in one place
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The great detective's pipe had gone out.
gracefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪsfəli/
in a graceful manner
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
gratenounUS /ɡreɪt/
a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The great detective's pipe had gone out.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The great detective's pipe had gone out.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
hearth-rug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Wilson watched him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
Holmlock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
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 He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
lidsnounUS /lɪdz/
plural of “lid” — either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
provided with artificial light
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
master'snounUS /ˈmæstərz/
possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
not any; not one
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The great detective's pipe had gone out.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading The great detective's pipe had gone out.
puffedadjectiveUS /pʌft/
gathered for protruding fullness
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
re-filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
reflectverbUS /rɪˈflekt/
manifest or bring back
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
ShearsnounUS /ʃiːrz/
large scissors with strong blades
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
Shears's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
unblinkingadjective
showing no visible emotion
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He knocked the ashes into the grate, re-filled his briar, lit it, gathered the skirts of his dressing-gown around his knees, puffed away and devoted all his attention to sending rings of smoke curling gracefully up to the ceiling.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Wilson watched him.
watchesnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃəz/
plural of “watch” — a small portable timepiece
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
wide-openadjective
open wide
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
WilsonnounUS /ˈwɪlsən/
author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)
From this reading Holmlock Shears and Wilson were seated on either side of the fireplace in Shears's sitting-room.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He watched him as a dog, rolled up on the hearth-rug, watches its master, with wide-open eyes and unblinking lids, eyes which have no other hope than to reflect the expected movement on the master's part.
