adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
AlmostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Galloway was fuming and fretting at the non-arrival of his clerk, Mr. Jenkins.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Galloway was fuming and fretting at the non-arrival of his clerk, Mr. Jenkins.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
cathedralnounUS /kəˈθiːdrəl/
any large and important church
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
chimedverbUS /tʃaɪmd/
past form of “chime” — emit a sound
From this reading One-two, three-four! chimed the quarters of the cathedral.
clerknounUS /klɜːrk/
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading Mr. Galloway was fuming and fretting at the non-arrival of his clerk, Mr. Jenkins.
clocknounUS /klɑːk/
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
especialadjectiveUS /əˈspeʃəl/
surpassing what is common or usual or expected
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
frettingverbUS /ˈfretɪŋ/
inflected form of “fret” — worry unnecessarily or excessively
From this reading Mr. Galloway was fuming and fretting at the non-arrival of his clerk, Mr. Jenkins.
fumingverbUS /ˈfjuːmɪŋ/
-ing form of “fume” — be mad, angry, or furious
From this reading Mr. Galloway was fuming and fretting at the non-arrival of his clerk, Mr. Jenkins.
GallowaynounUS /ˈɡæloʊweɪ/
a district in southwestern Scotland
From this reading Mr. Galloway was in his office.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Galloway was in his office.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Galloway was in his office.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
Jenkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Galloway was fuming and fretting at the non-arrival of his clerk, Mr. Jenkins.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
matteredverbUS /ˈmætərd/
past form of “matter” — have weight; have import, carry weight
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Galloway was in his office.
neednounUS /niːd/
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
ninenounUS /naɪn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
non-arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Galloway was fuming and fretting at the non-arrival of his clerk, Mr. Jenkins.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Galloway was fuming and fretting at the non-arrival of his clerk, Mr. Jenkins.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Mr. Galloway was in his office.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
One-two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One-two, three-four! chimed the quarters of the cathedral.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
particularadjectiveUS /pərˈtɪkjələr/
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
postverbUS /poʊst/
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
punctualadjectiveUS /ˈpʌŋktʃuːəl/
acting or arriving or performed exactly at the time appointed
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
quarter-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
quartersnounUS /ˈkwɔːrtərz/
housing available for people to live in
From this reading One-two, three-four! chimed the quarters of the cathedral.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
strawnounUS /strɔː/
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Galloway was fuming and fretting at the non-arrival of his clerk, Mr. Jenkins.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
three-four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One-two, three-four! chimed the quarters of the cathedral.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Galloway was in his office.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Almost any other morning it would not have mattered a straw to Mr. Galloway whether Jenkins was a little after or a little before his time; but on this particular morning he had especial need of him, and had come himself to the office unusually early.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mr. Jenkins was a punctual man; in fact, more than punctual: his proper time for arriving at the office was half-past nine; but the cathedral clock had rarely struck the quarter-past before Mr. Jenkins would be at his post.
