used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The room, which was an ordinary and neatly appointed office, appeared, at the first glance, to be empty.
subject to appointment
From this reading The room, which was an ordinary and neatly appointed office, appeared, at the first glance, to be empty.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked up as we came to a standstill.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Did you knock?” he asked pleasantly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The room, which was an ordinary and neatly appointed office, appeared, at the first glance, to be empty.
averageadjectiveUS /ˈævərɪdʒ/
approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The room, which was an ordinary and neatly appointed office, appeared, at the first glance, to be empty.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
bewilderingverbUS /bɪˈwɪldərɪŋ/
-ing form of “bewilder” — be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He looked up as we came to a standstill.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “Did you knock?” he asked pleasantly.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
drawersnounUS /drɔːrz/
underpants worn by men
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading The room, which was an ordinary and neatly appointed office, appeared, at the first glance, to be empty.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The room, which was an ordinary and neatly appointed office, appeared, at the first glance, to be empty.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading The room, which was an ordinary and neatly appointed office, appeared, at the first glance, to be empty.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked up as we came to a standstill.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
invasionnounUS /ˌɪnˈveɪʒən/
the act of invading; the act of an army that invades for conquest or plunder
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading “Did you knock?” he asked pleasantly.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked up as we came to a standstill.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
moustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
multiplicitynounUS /ˌmʌltəˈplɪsɪti/
the property of being multiple
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/
with neatness
From this reading The room, which was an ordinary and neatly appointed office, appeared, at the first glance, to be empty.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The room, which was an ordinary and neatly appointed office, appeared, at the first glance, to be empty.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
and nothing more
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading The room, which was an ordinary and neatly appointed office, appeared, at the first glance, to be empty.
pigeonholes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
pleasantlyadverbUS /ˈplezəntli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading “Did you knock?” he asked pleasantly.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
cut with a saw
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
standstillnounUS /ˈstændstɪl/
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
From this reading He looked up as we came to a standstill.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He looked up as we came to a standstill.
precisely as stated
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The room, which was an ordinary and neatly appointed office, appeared, at the first glance, to be empty.
waxedadjectiveUS /wækst/
treated with wax
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The room, which was an ordinary and neatly appointed office, appeared, at the first glance, to be empty.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading With the sound of the word the door burst open, and we fell into the room like an invasion, only to stop dead.
the act of creating written works
From this reading But on a second and more careful glance, we saw seated behind a very large desk with pigeonholes and drawers of bewildering multiplicity, a small man with a black waxed moustache, and the air of a very average clerk, writing hard.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Did you knock?” he asked pleasantly.
