used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading As he advanced, his tall figure loomed conspicuously in the narrow room.
how long something has existed
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he advanced, his tall figure loomed conspicuously in the narrow room.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
bucklesnounUS /ˈbʌkəlz/
plural of “buckle” — fastener that fastens together two ends of a belt or strap; often has loose prong
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
conspicuouslyadverbUS /kənˈspɪkjuːəsli/
in a manner tending to attract attention
From this reading As he advanced, his tall figure loomed conspicuously in the narrow room.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
dealtverbUS /delt/
inflected form of “deal” — act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading As usual, he was dressed in the extreme of fashion.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading As usual, he was dressed in the extreme of fashion.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading As usual, he was dressed in the extreme of fashion.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading As he advanced, his tall figure loomed conspicuously in the narrow room.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he advanced, his tall figure loomed conspicuously in the narrow room.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he advanced, his tall figure loomed conspicuously in the narrow room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
jewelledadjective
covered with beads or jewels or sequins
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
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 wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
loomedverbUS /luːmd/
past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading As he advanced, his tall figure loomed conspicuously in the narrow room.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
manhoodnounUS /ˈmænhʊd/
the state of being a man; manly qualities
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
Mechlin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
Nançay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading As he advanced, his tall figure loomed conspicuously in the narrow room.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
on the contrary
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
rufflesnounUS /ˈrʌfəlz/
plural of “ruffle” — a strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
a particular situation
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
sleevesnounUS /sliːvz/
plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading As he advanced, his tall figure loomed conspicuously in the narrow room.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
TOILSnounUS /tɔɪlz/
plural of “toil” — productive work (especially physical work done for wages)
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
unattendedadjectiveUS /ənəˈtendɪd/
not watched
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading As usual, he was dressed in the extreme of fashion.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
violet-coloredadjective
having a violet color
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE TOILS ON the stroke of the clock the door at the further end of the room was opened and M. de Nançay entered unattended.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Time had dealt kindly with him; he was now past middle age, but rather more handsome than in his earlier manhood.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading He wore a suit of violet-colored velvet, his collar was of Mechlin lace, as were the ruffles at his sleeves and his knees, and he wore jewelled buckles on his low velvet shoes.
