used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
airyadjectiveUS /ˈeri/
open to or abounding in fresh air
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
bedsteadnoun
the framework of a bed
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
intentionally conceived
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
travel across or pass over
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
DISCLOSURESnounUS /dɪˈskloʊʒərz/
plural of “disclosure” — the speech act of making something evident
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
disinfectantnounUS /dɪsɪnˈfektənt/
an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
enameledverbUS /ɪˈnæməld/
past form of “enamel” — coat, inlay, or surface with enamel
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
Feng
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
gold-rimmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
grey-bearded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
iodoformnoun
sweet smelling yellow solid haloform CHI3
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
KeysnounUS /kiːz/
plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
for more time
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
not any; not one
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
nostrilsnounUS /ˈnɑːstrəlz/
plural of “nostril” — either one of the two external openings to the nasal cavity in the nose
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
odornounUS /ˈoʊdər/
any property detected by the olfactory system
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
pungentadjectiveUS /ˈpʌndʒənt/
strong and sharp
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
cut with a saw
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
only a very short time before
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
spectaclesnounUS /ˈspektəkəlz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
Thelma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
unfamiliaradjectiveUS /ˌʌnfəˈmɪljər/
not known or well known
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
a Caucasian
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
