used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He looked around for a chair and sank into it.
abackadverbUS /əˈbæk/
having the wind against the forward side of the sails
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
AGGRESSIVEadjectiveUS /əˈɡresɪv/
having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends
From this reading THE "AGGRESSIVE" TORY.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He looked around for a chair and sank into it.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading Mr. Howard was equally astonished.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
disappearingnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrɪŋ/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Mr. Howard was equally astonished.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He looked around for a chair and sank into it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
helplesslyadverbUS /ˈhelpləsli/
in a helpless manner
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
HowardnounUS /ˈhaʊərd/
English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
intenselyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtensli/
to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He looked around for a chair and sank into it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
immediately past
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
magistratenounUS /ˈmædʒəstreɪt/
a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
mildlyadverbUS /ˈmaɪldli/
to a moderate degree
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
a form of address for a man
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
provincialadjectiveUS /prəˈvɪnʃəl/
of or associated with a province
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
rebellionnounUS /rɪˈbeljən/
refusal to accept some authority or code or convention
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading He looked around for a chair and sank into it.
cut with a saw
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
express in words
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
socketsnounUS /ˈsɑːkəts/
plural of “socket” — a bony hollow into which a structure fits
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
tailsnounUS /teɪlz/
formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE "AGGRESSIVE" TORY.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
TORYnounUS /ˈtɔːri/
an American who favored the British side during the American Revolution
From this reading THE "AGGRESSIVE" TORY.
precisely as stated
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
at the time that
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was completely taken aback, so much so, that, when he saw the coat tails of the last provincial disappearing through the door, he settled back in his chair, let his hands fall helplessly by his side, and looked at Mr. Howard with eyes that seemed ready to start from their sockets.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To say that the magistrate was intensely surprised by the rebellion that had taken place in his office, would be putting it very mildly.
