used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
armchairnounUS /ˈɑːrmtʃer/
chair with a support on each side for arms
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Arrived at his destination, he found the shop closed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
breachverbUS /briːtʃ/
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Arrived at his destination, he found the shop closed.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
deliciousadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪʃəs/
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
destinationnounUS /ˌdestəˈneɪʃən/
the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)
From this reading Arrived at his destination, he found the shop closed.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
something many people believe that is false
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
first-floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
set up or found
From this reading Arrived at his destination, he found the shop closed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
HarpernounUS /ˈhɑːrpər/
someone who plays the harp
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
impromptunounUS /ˌɪmˈprɑːmptuː/
an extemporaneous speech or remark
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
Jenkins's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
and nothing more
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
KetchnounUS /ketʃ/
a sailing vessel with two masts; the mizzen is forward of the rudderpost
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
knockernoun
(Yiddish) a big shot who knows it and acts that way; a boastful immoderate person
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
not any; not one
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
odournounUS /ˈoʊdər/
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
olfactoryadjectiveUS /oʊlˈfæktəri/
of or relating to olfaction
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
onionsnounUS /ˈʌnjənz/
plural of “onion” — the bulb of an onion plant
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
politenessnounUS /pəˈlaɪtnəs/
a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
do one's shopping
From this reading Arrived at his destination, he found the shop closed.
shop-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
shuffledverbUS /ˈʃʌfəld/
past form of “shuffle” — walk by dragging one's feet
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
move hurridly
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
the upper part of anything
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
tripenounUS /traɪp/
lining of the stomach of a ruminant (especially a bovine) used as food
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
precisely as stated
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Mrs. Jenkins’s custom to close at seven from October to April; and the shutters had now just been put up.
wateringnounUS /ˈwɔːtərɪŋ/
shedding tears
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It were surely a breach of politeness on our part not to attend Mr. Ketch in his impromptu evening visit!
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He shuffled along at the very top of his speed, his mouth watering, while the delicious odour of tripe and onions appeared to be borne on the air to his olfactory nerves: so strong is the force of fancy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Ketch seized the knocker on the shop-door--there was no other entrance to the house--and brought it down with a force that shook the first-floor sitting-room, and startled Mr. Harper, the lay clerk, almost out of his armchair, as he sat before the fire.
