adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “Did any one drive Sissy this mornin’?” asked Butler of Aileen, inquiring after a favorite family horse.
Aileen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
angularitynoun
a shape having one or more sharp angles
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “Did any one drive Sissy this mornin’?” asked Butler of Aileen, inquiring after a favorite family horse.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Did any one drive Sissy this mornin’?” asked Butler of Aileen, inquiring after a favorite family horse.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
ButlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
Butler'snounUS /ˈbʌtlərz/
possessive form of “butler” — a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
dark-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
dark-hairedadjective
having hair of a dark color
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
departedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpɑːrtɪd/
well in the past; former
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “Did any one drive Sissy this mornin’?” asked Butler of Aileen, inquiring after a favorite family horse.
dinner-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
doorwaynounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪ/
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Butler sent for her, standing in the doorway just far enough to one side to yield a good view of her.
driveverbUS /draɪv/
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading “Did any one drive Sissy this mornin’?” asked Butler of Aileen, inquiring after a favorite family horse.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Butler sent for her, standing in the doorway just far enough to one side to yield a good view of her.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading “Did any one drive Sissy this mornin’?” asked Butler of Aileen, inquiring after a favorite family horse.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Butler sent for her, standing in the doorway just far enough to one side to yield a good view of her.
favoritenounUS /ˈfeɪvərɪt/
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading “Did any one drive Sissy this mornin’?” asked Butler of Aileen, inquiring after a favorite family horse.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Butler sent for her, standing in the doorway just far enough to one side to yield a good view of her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
hawk-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
heightnounUS /haɪt/
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Butler sent for her, standing in the doorway just far enough to one side to yield a good view of her.
horsenounUS /hɔːrs/
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading “Did any one drive Sissy this mornin’?” asked Butler of Aileen, inquiring after a favorite family horse.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Butler sent for her, standing in the doorway just far enough to one side to yield a good view of her.
inquiringadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪərɪŋ/
given to inquiry
From this reading “Did any one drive Sissy this mornin’?” asked Butler of Aileen, inquiring after a favorite family horse.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading Butler sent for her, standing in the doorway just far enough to one side to yield a good view of her.
leatheryadjectiveUS /ˈleðəri/
resembling or made to resemble leather; tough but pliable
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
mornin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Did any one drive Sissy this mornin’?” asked Butler of Aileen, inquiring after a favorite family horse.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
noticeableadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəsəbəl/
capable or worthy of being noticed
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Butler sent for her, standing in the doorway just far enough to one side to yield a good view of her.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
particularlyadverbUS /ˌpɑːrˈtɪkjələrli/
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
pretendingnounUS /priˈtendɪŋ/
the act of giving a false appearance
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
preternaturallyadverb
in a supernatural manner
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
rusenounUS /ruːz/
a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
sallowadjective
unhealthy looking
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
sentnounUS /sent/
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading Butler sent for her, standing in the doorway just far enough to one side to yield a good view of her.
shownverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Butler sent for her, standing in the doorway just far enough to one side to yield a good view of her.
SissynounUS /ˈsɪsi/
a timid man or boy considered childish or unassertive
From this reading “Did any one drive Sissy this mornin’?” asked Butler of Aileen, inquiring after a favorite family horse.
solemnadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləm/
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/
having a supporting base
From this reading Butler sent for her, standing in the doorway just far enough to one side to yield a good view of her.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
streetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
talkedverbUS /tɔːkt/
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Did any one drive Sissy this mornin’?” asked Butler of Aileen, inquiring after a favorite family horse.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That evening he came to the Butler house around dinner-time, and, being shown into Butler’s room, was given a look at Aileen by a ruse.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
viewnounUS /vjuː/
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Butler sent for her, standing in the doorway just far enough to one side to yield a good view of her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
winternounUS /ˈwɪntər/
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The detective stood behind one of the heavy curtains which had already been put up for the winter, pretending to look out into the street.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The very next day there called at Butler’s office a long, preternaturally solemn man of noticeable height and angularity, dark-haired, dark-eyed, sallow, with a face that was long and leathery, and particularly hawk-like, who talked with Butler for over an hour and then departed.
yieldverbUS /jiːld/
be the cause or source of
From this reading Butler sent for her, standing in the doorway just far enough to one side to yield a good view of her.
