used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "And even that will scarcely be sufficient," began the lackey.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
Aumenier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "And even that will scarcely be sufficient," began the lackey.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "And even that will scarcely be sufficient," began the lackey.
cravesverbUS /kreɪvz/
third-person singular of “crave” — have a craving, appetite, or great desire for
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
d'Aumenier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
desiresnounUS /dɪˈzaɪərz/
plural of “desire” — the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
enlightenmentnounUS /ˌenˈlaɪtənmənt/
education that results in understanding and the spread of knowledge
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "Enough!" thundered Marteau.
divisible by two
From this reading "And even that will scarcely be sufficient," began the lackey.
ExcellencynounUS /ˈekˈslensi/
a title used to address dignitaries (such as ambassadors or governors); usually preceded by “Your” or “His” or “Her”
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
flushingverbUS /ˈflʌʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “flush” — turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
footmannounUS /ˈfʊtmən/
a man employed as a servant in a large establishment (as a palace) to run errands and do chores
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
a man of refinement
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
Governor'snounUS /ˈɡʌvərnərz/
possessive form of “governor” — the head of a state government
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
insolencenounUS /ˈɪnsələns/
the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
lackeynounUS /ˈlæki/
a male servant (especially a footman)
From this reading "And even that will scarcely be sufficient," began the lackey.
Lieutenant-Colonel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
Marteau
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
a large and stately mansion
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
express in words
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
only a very short time before
From this reading "And even that will scarcely be sufficient," began the lackey.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading "And even that will scarcely be sufficient," began the lackey.
superciliouslyadverb
with a sneer; in an uncomplimentary sneering manner
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
express in words
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
thunderedverbUS /ˈθʌndərd/
past form of “thunder” — move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading "Enough!" thundered Marteau.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
migratory
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "So many wandering officers want to see His Excellency," said the servant superciliously, "that I have instructions to require further enlightenment before I admit any to his presence."
warsnounUS /wɔːrz/
plural of “war” — the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
which person or people
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ALMOST A GENTLEMAN "Will you tell the Lieutenant-Colonel, the Marquis d'Aumenier, that an officer returned from the wars desires to see him?" said Marteau to the footman who answered the door at the Governor's palace.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Say to your master," replied the other, his face flushing at the insolence of the servant, "that one from the village of Aumenier craves an audience on matters of great importance."
