used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Quite impressive as a fly-trap,” he ruminated.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading “Looks like a good solid business with plenty of money to spend.
businesslikeadjectiveUS /ˈbɪznɪslaɪk/
exhibiting methodical and systematic characteristics that would be useful in business
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading And the clerks have good manners, too.
counternounUS /ˈkaʊntər/
table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
CreditornounUS /ˈkredətər/
a person to whom money is owed by a debtor; someone to whom an obligation exists
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
fittingsnounUS /ˈfɪtɪŋz/
plural of “fitting” — making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
Flamborough's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
fly-trap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Quite impressive as a fly-trap,” he ruminated.
set up or found
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “Looks like a good solid business with plenty of money to spend.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And the clerks have good manners, too.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
impressiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpresɪv/
making a strong or vivid impression
From this reading “Quite impressive as a fly-trap,” he ruminated.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
industrynounUS /ˈɪndəstri/
the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “Looks like a good solid business with plenty of money to spend.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading “Looks like a good solid business with plenty of money to spend.
social deportment
From this reading And the clerks have good manners, too.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading “Looks like a good solid business with plenty of money to spend.
moneylender's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
orderlynounUS /ˈɔːrdərli/
a soldier who serves as an attendant to a superior officer
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
a full supply
From this reading “Looks like a good solid business with plenty of money to spend.
premisesnounUS /ˈpreməsəz/
land and the buildings on it
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “Quite impressive as a fly-trap,” he ruminated.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
ruminatedverbUS /ˈruːmɪneɪtɪd/
past form of “ruminate” — chew the cuds
From this reading “Quite impressive as a fly-trap,” he ruminated.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading “Looks like a good solid business with plenty of money to spend.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading “Looks like a good solid business with plenty of money to spend.
spick-and-spanadjective
conspicuously new
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
submittedverbUS /səbˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “submit” — refer for judgment or consideration
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Creditor Inspector Flamborough's orderly mind found something to respect in the businesslike appearance of the moneylender's premises.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading And the clerks have good manners, too.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading As he waited at the counter of the outer office while his card was submitted to the principal, he was struck by the spick-and-span appearance of the fittings and the industry of the small staff.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Looks like a good solid business with plenty of money to spend.
