used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
absorbedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbd/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
Allard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
completely unclothed
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
boredomnounUS /ˈbɔːrdəm/
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
chattingverbUS /ˈtʃætɪŋ/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
commonplaceadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading Yet he was perhaps the only one present, with the exception of the man facing him, who escaped the commonplace.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
directnessnounUS /dərˈektnəs/
trueness of course toward a goal
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
droningnounUS /ˈdroʊnɪŋ/
an unchanging intonation
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading Yet he was perhaps the only one present, with the exception of the man facing him, who escaped the commonplace.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading Yet he was perhaps the only one present, with the exception of the man facing him, who escaped the commonplace.
exertionnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃən/
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading Yet he was perhaps the only one present, with the exception of the man facing him, who escaped the commonplace.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
death of a person
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
half-closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet he was perhaps the only one present, with the exception of the man facing him, who escaped the commonplace.
HIGHNESSnounUS /ˈhaɪnəs/
(Your Highness or His Highness or Her Highness) title used to address a royal person
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Yet he was perhaps the only one present, with the exception of the man facing him, who escaped the commonplace.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
ignoringverbUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “ignore” — refuse to acknowledge
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
institutionnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃən/
an organization founded and united for a specific purpose
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
long-lashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
lustrousadjectiveUS /ˈlʌstrəs/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Yet he was perhaps the only one present, with the exception of the man facing him, who escaped the commonplace.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
and nothing more
From this reading Yet he was perhaps the only one present, with the exception of the man facing him, who escaped the commonplace.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
by chance
From this reading Yet he was perhaps the only one present, with the exception of the man facing him, who escaped the commonplace.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Yet he was perhaps the only one present, with the exception of the man facing him, who escaped the commonplace.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
railingnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋ/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
recollectionnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃən/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
ROYALadjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
express in words
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
softnessnounUS /ˈsɔːftnəs/
the property of giving little resistance to pressure and being easily cut or molded
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
varyingadjectiveUS /ˈveriɪŋ/
marked by diversity or difference
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
someone who visits
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were several gentlemen and officers of the building in the bare room, chatting with one another in varying degrees of boredom and interest, and completely ignoring the quiet prisoner who had been John Allard.
which person or people
From this reading HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS They looked at each other steadily, the distinguished visitor and the prisoner who polished a brass railing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Beside them an official was droning a particularly monotonous and dreary account of the institution, his eyes half-closed with the mental exertion of recollection, his thoughts turned inward and absorbed.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet he was perhaps the only one present, with the exception of the man facing him, who escaped the commonplace.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You have something to say?" questioned the grave, lustrous dark eyes of the visitor; eyes southern in their long-lashed softness, northern in their directness.
