used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The countryman listened to his explanations smiling mischievously, mumbling an occasional aside to himself in an undertone:
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
AndalusianounUS /ˌændəˈluːʒə/
a region in southern Spain on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean; formerly a center of Moorish civilization
From this reading “We _must_ be in Andalusia now.”
on or to one side
From this reading The countryman listened to his explanations smiling mischievously, mumbling an occasional aside to himself in an undertone:
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “We _must_ be in Andalusia now.”
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
buttonholenounUS /ˈbʌtənhoʊl/
a hole through which buttons are pushed
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The second-class coach was occupied by six persons.
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
clean-shavenadjective
closely shaved recently
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports
From this reading The second-class coach was occupied by six persons.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
corpulentadjective
excessively fat
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
countrymannounUS /ˈkʌntrimən/
a man from your own country
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
distinguished-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
explainingverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
explanationsnounUS /ˌekspləˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “explanation” — a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading The countryman listened to his explanations smiling mischievously, mumbling an occasional aside to himself in an undertone:
opinion or judgment
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
FrenchmannounUS /ˈfrentʃmæn/
a person of French nationality
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
garbnounUS /ɡɑːrb/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
graciouslyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪʃəsli/
in a gracious or graceful manner
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The countryman listened to his explanations smiling mischievously, mumbling an occasional aside to himself in an undertone:
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
illustrationsnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃənz/
plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “We _must_ be in Andalusia now.”
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading The countryman listened to his explanations smiling mischievously, mumbling an occasional aside to himself in an undertone:
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
magazinenounUS /ˈmæɡəziːn/
a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
meaningsnounUS /ˈmiːnɪŋz/
plural of “meaning” — the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
mischievouslyadverb
in a disobedient or naughty way
From this reading The countryman listened to his explanations smiling mischievously, mumbling an occasional aside to himself in an undertone:
mumblingnounUS /ˈmʌmbəlɪŋ/
indistinct enunciation
From this reading The countryman listened to his explanations smiling mischievously, mumbling an occasional aside to himself in an undertone:
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “We _must_ be in Andalusia now.”
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “We _must_ be in Andalusia now.”
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading The countryman listened to his explanations smiling mischievously, mumbling an occasional aside to himself in an undertone:
held or filled or in use
From this reading The second-class coach was occupied by six persons.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading The second-class coach was occupied by six persons.
Quentin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
second-classadjective
of inferior status or quality
From this reading The second-class coach was occupied by six persons.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading The second-class coach was occupied by six persons.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading The countryman listened to his explanations smiling mischievously, mumbling an occasional aside to himself in an undertone:
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
create by training and teaching
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
undertonenounUS /ˈʌndərtoʊn/
a quiet or hushed tone of voice
From this reading The countryman listened to his explanations smiling mischievously, mumbling an occasional aside to himself in an undertone:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The second-class coach was occupied by six persons.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “We _must_ be in Andalusia now.”
wealthyadjectiveUS /ˈwelθi/
having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Opposite Quentin, a distinguished-looking Frenchman, corpulent, clean-shaven, and with a red ribbon in his buttonhole, was showing a magazine to a countryman in the garb of a wealthy cattle owner, and was graciously explaining the meanings of the illustrations to him.
yawnsnounUS /jɔːnz/
plural of “yawn” — an involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth; usually triggered by fatigue or boredom
From this reading A CONVERSATION ON THE TRAIN Quentin awoke, opened his eyes, looked about him, and exclaimed between his yawns:
