used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a man of less than twenty-four years of age he certainly was grave and serious-looking.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading He was slightly above medium height, quite thin, and attenuated-looking.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
how long something has existed
From this reading For a man of less than twenty-four years of age he certainly was grave and serious-looking.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was slightly above medium height, quite thin, and attenuated-looking.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
attenuated-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was slightly above medium height, quite thin, and attenuated-looking.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He wore the black frock-coat, high, stiff collar, and black necktie of his calling.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading He wore the black frock-coat, high, stiff collar, and black necktie of his calling.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading For a man of less than twenty-four years of age he certainly was grave and serious-looking.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading He wore the black frock-coat, high, stiff collar, and black necktie of his calling.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
densitynounUS /ˈdensəti/
the amount per unit size
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
endeavoringverbUS /ɪnˈdevərɪŋ/
-ing form of “endeavor” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a man of less than twenty-four years of age he certainly was grave and serious-looking.
frock-coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wore the black frock-coat, high, stiff collar, and black necktie of his calling.
death of a person
From this reading For a man of less than twenty-four years of age he certainly was grave and serious-looking.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
hairsnounUS /herz/
plural of “hair” — a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
Harold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading He was slightly above medium height, quite thin, and attenuated-looking.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He wore the black frock-coat, high, stiff collar, and black necktie of his calling.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He wore the black frock-coat, high, stiff collar, and black necktie of his calling.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading For a man of less than twenty-four years of age he certainly was grave and serious-looking.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
engage in
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading For a man of less than twenty-four years of age he certainly was grave and serious-looking.
mediumnounUS /ˈmiːdiəm/
a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information
From this reading He was slightly above medium height, quite thin, and attenuated-looking.
necktienounUS /ˈnektaɪ/
neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading He wore the black frock-coat, high, stiff collar, and black necktie of his calling.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He wore the black frock-coat, high, stiff collar, and black necktie of his calling.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
bring forth or yield
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was slightly above medium height, quite thin, and attenuated-looking.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
serious-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a man of less than twenty-four years of age he certainly was grave and serious-looking.
for a short time
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading He was slightly above medium height, quite thin, and attenuated-looking.
sparselyadverbUS /ˈspɑːrsli/
in a sparse way
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
express in speech
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading He wore the black frock-coat, high, stiff collar, and black necktie of his calling.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For a man of less than twenty-four years of age he certainly was grave and serious-looking.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He wore the black frock-coat, high, stiff collar, and black necktie of his calling.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading He was slightly above medium height, quite thin, and attenuated-looking.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
twenty-fouradjectiveUS /ˈtwentifɔːr/
being four more than twenty
From this reading For a man of less than twenty-four years of age he certainly was grave and serious-looking.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading One evening, shortly after that, Harold came into John's room, saying that he wanted to speak to him in private.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was slightly above medium height, quite thin, and attenuated-looking.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
whiskersnounUS /ˈwɪskərz/
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading He wore the black frock-coat, high, stiff collar, and black necktie of his calling.
a late time of life
From this reading For a man of less than twenty-four years of age he certainly was grave and serious-looking.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading He was endeavoring to produce a show of whiskers on his cheeks and chin, but the effort was almost in vain, for the hairs grew sparsely and were of a color between yellow and light brown that did not make for density of appearance.
