used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
how long something has existed
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading “You, too, O venerable centenarian, seem to have given some attention in the same direction,” retorted the Professor.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
centenariannounUS /ˌsentəˈneriən/
someone who is at least 100 years old
From this reading “You, too, O venerable centenarian, seem to have given some attention in the same direction,” retorted the Professor.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading “I must say that the clothes of this period are certainly more picturesque and quite as comfortable as those of our day.”
clothing in general
From this reading “I must say that the clothes of this period are certainly more picturesque and quite as comfortable as those of our day.”
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading “I must say that the clothes of this period are certainly more picturesque and quite as comfortable as those of our day.”
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
coxcombnoun
a conceited dandy who is overly impressed by his own accomplishments
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading “I must say that the clothes of this period are certainly more picturesque and quite as comfortable as those of our day.”
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading “You, too, O venerable centenarian, seem to have given some attention in the same direction,” retorted the Professor.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading “You, too, O venerable centenarian, seem to have given some attention in the same direction,” retorted the Professor.
the act of giving
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “You, too, O venerable centenarian, seem to have given some attention in the same direction,” retorted the Professor.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
hosenounUS /hoʊz/
socks and stockings and tights collectively (the British include underwear)
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
ten 10s
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “You, too, O venerable centenarian, seem to have given some attention in the same direction,” retorted the Professor.
intricaciesnounUS /ˈɪntrəkəsiz/
plural of “intricacy” — marked by elaborately complex detail
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
Kearns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
knee-breeches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
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 THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
new-fangledadjective
(of a new kind or fashion) gratuitously new
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading “You, too, O venerable centenarian, seem to have given some attention in the same direction,” retorted the Professor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “I must say that the clothes of this period are certainly more picturesque and quite as comfortable as those of our day.”
the time that has elapsed
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
an amount of time
From this reading “I must say that the clothes of this period are certainly more picturesque and quite as comfortable as those of our day.”
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading “I must say that the clothes of this period are certainly more picturesque and quite as comfortable as those of our day.”
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “I must say that the clothes of this period are certainly more picturesque and quite as comfortable as those of our day.”
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “You think so?” replied Kearns.
past form of “retort” — answer back
From this reading “You, too, O venerable centenarian, seem to have given some attention in the same direction,” retorted the Professor.
Identical; not different.
From this reading “You, too, O venerable centenarian, seem to have given some attention in the same direction,” retorted the Professor.
express in words
From this reading “I must say that the clothes of this period are certainly more picturesque and quite as comfortable as those of our day.”
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading “You, too, O venerable centenarian, seem to have given some attention in the same direction,” retorted the Professor.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “You think so?” replied Kearns.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “You, too, O venerable centenarian, seem to have given some attention in the same direction,” retorted the Professor.
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 STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “I must say that the clothes of this period are certainly more picturesque and quite as comfortable as those of our day.”
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “You, too, O venerable centenarian, seem to have given some attention in the same direction,” retorted the Professor.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
vanitiesnounUS /ˈvænətiz/
plural of “vanity” — feelings of excessive pride
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
venerableadjectiveUS /ˈvenərəbəl/
impressive by reason of age
From this reading “You, too, O venerable centenarian, seem to have given some attention in the same direction,” retorted the Professor.
precisely as stated
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
a late time of life
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading THE STORY OF THE PAST “You ancient coxcomb!” exclaimed Kearns next morning, as he watched the Professor struggling with the intricacies of a new-fangled necktie, “to think of a man more than one hundred years old giving himself up to the vanities of life!”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I must confess, though, that those knee-breeches and hose are very becoming to you, considering your advanced age!”
