used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Melville was a man of about forty-five, heavy-jawed, coarse-lipped and bulky-necked, with a big, heavy body.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Melville was a man of about forty-five, heavy-jawed, coarse-lipped and bulky-necked, with a big, heavy body.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Melville was a man of about forty-five, heavy-jawed, coarse-lipped and bulky-necked, with a big, heavy body.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Melville was a man of about forty-five, heavy-jawed, coarse-lipped and bulky-necked, with a big, heavy body.
brutaladjectiveUS /ˈbruːtəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading But about the man there was, withal, a suggestion of brutal strength.
bulky-necked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was a man of about forty-five, heavy-jawed, coarse-lipped and bulky-necked, with a big, heavy body.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Without this screened-off sanctum was a busy room full of clerks and stenographers.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But about the man there was, withal, a suggestion of brutal strength.
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading Without this screened-off sanctum was a busy room full of clerks and stenographers.
coarse-lipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was a man of about forty-five, heavy-jawed, coarse-lipped and bulky-necked, with a big, heavy body.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading On the door of Melville’s office was painted the word “Private.”
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
forty-fivenounUS /ˈfɔːrtifaɪv/
a .45-caliber pistol
From this reading Melville was a man of about forty-five, heavy-jawed, coarse-lipped and bulky-necked, with a big, heavy body.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Without this screened-off sanctum was a busy room full of clerks and stenographers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Melville was a man of about forty-five, heavy-jawed, coarse-lipped and bulky-necked, with a big, heavy body.
heavy-jawed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melville was a man of about forty-five, heavy-jawed, coarse-lipped and bulky-necked, with a big, heavy body.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
MelvillenounUS /ˈmelvɪl/
United States writer of novels and short stories (1819-1891)
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
Melville's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the door of Melville’s office was painted the word “Private.”
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
overlookingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
coated with paint
From this reading On the door of Melville’s office was painted the word “Private.”
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading On the door of Melville’s office was painted the word “Private.”
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
Rook's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Without this screened-off sanctum was a busy room full of clerks and stenographers.
sanctumnounUS /ˈsæŋktəm/
a place of inviolable privacy
From this reading Without this screened-off sanctum was a busy room full of clerks and stenographers.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
screened-off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without this screened-off sanctum was a busy room full of clerks and stenographers.
stenographers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without this screened-off sanctum was a busy room full of clerks and stenographers.
StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/
English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading But about the man there was, withal, a suggestion of brutal strength.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading But about the man there was, withal, a suggestion of brutal strength.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But about the man there was, withal, a suggestion of brutal strength.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Without this screened-off sanctum was a busy room full of clerks and stenographers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Melville was a man of about forty-five, heavy-jawed, coarse-lipped and bulky-necked, with a big, heavy body.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
withaladverb
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading But about the man there was, withal, a suggestion of brutal strength.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without this screened-off sanctum was a busy room full of clerks and stenographers.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading On the door of Melville’s office was painted the word “Private.”
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading In an office on lower Wall Street, New York, overlooking the East River with its bustle of water traffic, sat Stephen Melville, the man to whom Rook’s message had been addressed—a message that, as we know, he had not received.
