used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He seemed to be an extraordinarily good-humored chap, with the ready wit of an Irishman.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
assuringadjectiveUS /əˈʃʊrɪŋ/
giving confidence
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He seemed to be an extraordinarily good-humored chap, with the ready wit of an Irishman.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
a boy or man
From this reading He seemed to be an extraordinarily good-humored chap, with the ready wit of an Irishman.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading THE RULER OF THE LIGHT COUNTRY.
courtesynounUS /ˈkɜːrtəsi/
a courteous or respectful or considerate act
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
essentiallyadverbUS /eˈsenʃəli/
in essence; at bottom or by one's (or its) very nature
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
extraordinarilyadverbUS /ekˌstrɔːrdəˈnerəli/
extremely
From this reading He seemed to be an extraordinarily good-humored chap, with the ready wit of an Irishman.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
brought together in one place
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
good-humoredadjective
disposed to please
From this reading He seemed to be an extraordinarily good-humored chap, with the ready wit of an Irishman.
greetedverbUS /ˈɡriːtəd/
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
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, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
inchesnounUS /ˈɪntʃəz/
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
IrishmannounUS /ˈaɪrɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of Ireland
From this reading He seemed to be an extraordinarily good-humored chap, with the ready wit of an Irishman.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE RULER OF THE LIGHT COUNTRY.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
Lua
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
masculineadjectiveUS /ˈmæskjələn/
of grammatical gender
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
matchedadjectiveUS /mætʃt/
provided with a worthy adversary or competitor
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
newcomernounUS /ˈnuːkʌmər/
any new participant in some activity
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
not any; not one
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE RULER OF THE LIGHT COUNTRY.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
by chance
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
powerfullyadverbUS /ˈpaʊərfli/
in a powerful manner
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
on the contrary
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He seemed to be an extraordinarily good-humored chap, with the ready wit of an Irishman.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
rough-hewn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
RULERnounUS /ˈruːlər/
a person who rules or commands
From this reading THE RULER OF THE LIGHT COUNTRY.
cut with a saw
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He seemed to be an extraordinarily good-humored chap, with the ready wit of an Irishman.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RULER OF THE LIGHT COUNTRY.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
tousledadjective
in disarray; extremely disorderly
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
in or at the place that
From this reading The first surprise of the meeting over, we took him to the living room, where Lua greeted him with dignified courtesy, and we all gathered around to hear his story.
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading He seemed to be an extraordinarily good-humored chap, with the ready wit of an Irishman.
in the company of; together with
From this reading However pleased the newcomer was to see me, I had no difficulty in assuring him with equal truth that my feelings matched his.
a late time of life
From this reading He was, I saw now, not more than twenty years old, rather short--perhaps five feet six or seven inches--and powerfully built, with a shock of tousled red hair and a handsome, rough-hewn face essentially masculine.
