the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN IMPORTANT COMMISSION.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The old negro who had knocked opened the door and respectfully stood waiting.
anticipatingverbUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “anticipate” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading He was evidently anticipating callers of more than usual importance judging from his expectant look.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
BureaunounUS /ˈbjʊroʊ/
an administrative unit of government
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
callersnounUS /ˈkɔːlərz/
plural of “caller” — a social or business visitor
From this reading He was evidently anticipating callers of more than usual importance judging from his expectant look.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Come in!"
COMMISSIONnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading AN IMPORTANT COMMISSION.
a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading He was evidently anticipating callers of more than usual importance judging from his expectant look.
expectantadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektənt/
marked by eager anticipation
From this reading He was evidently anticipating callers of more than usual importance judging from his expectant look.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was evidently anticipating callers of more than usual importance judging from his expectant look.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
gray-hairedadjective
showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The old negro who had knocked opened the door and respectfully stood waiting.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was evidently anticipating callers of more than usual importance judging from his expectant look.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading He was evidently anticipating callers of more than usual importance judging from his expectant look.
of great significance or value
From this reading AN IMPORTANT COMMISSION.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Come in!"
judgingnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒɪŋ/
the cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions
From this reading He was evidently anticipating callers of more than usual importance judging from his expectant look.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading The old negro who had knocked opened the door and respectfully stood waiting.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He was evidently anticipating callers of more than usual importance judging from his expectant look.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was evidently anticipating callers of more than usual importance judging from his expectant look.
Navy'snounUS /ˈneɪviz/
possessive form of “navy” — an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading The old negro who had knocked opened the door and respectfully stood waiting.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old negro who had knocked opened the door and respectfully stood waiting.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The old negro who had knocked opened the door and respectfully stood waiting.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
respectfullyadverbUS /rɪˈspektfəli/
in a respectful manner
From this reading The old negro who had knocked opened the door and respectfully stood waiting.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The old negro who had knocked opened the door and respectfully stood waiting.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was evidently anticipating callers of more than usual importance judging from his expectant look.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading He was evidently anticipating callers of more than usual importance judging from his expectant look.
communicated in words
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading The old negro who had knocked opened the door and respectfully stood waiting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was evidently anticipating callers of more than usual importance judging from his expectant look.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
which person or people
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The gray-haired man who uttered these words gazed sharply up at the door of the private office of the Secretary of the Navy's Bureau, at Washington, D. C., as he spoke.
