used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
adjustingverbUS /əˈdʒʌstɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjust” — alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
arrangingnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒɪŋ/
the act of arranging and adapting a piece of music
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I called yesterday, and the day before, as soon as I saw that there was a substitute singing in _Mandalay_.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Do you think,” Blair asked her, “that Miss Lane would see me half a minute?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I called yesterday, and the day before, as soon as I saw that there was a substitute singing in _Mandalay_.
BlairnounUS /bler/
British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)
From this reading “Do you think,” Blair asked her, “that Miss Lane would see me half a minute?
Blair'snounUS /blerz/
possessive form of “blair” — British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I called yesterday, and the day before, as soon as I saw that there was a substitute singing in _Mandalay_.
callernounUS /ˈkɔːlər/
a social or business visitor
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
charitynounUS /ˈtʃerɪti/
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading Tell her I’m as full of news as a charity report, please, and I rather guess that will fetch her.”
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading I called yesterday, and the day before, as soon as I saw that there was a substitute singing in _Mandalay_.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Do you think,” Blair asked her, “that Miss Lane would see me half a minute?
go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading Tell her I’m as full of news as a charity report, please, and I rather guess that will fetch her.”
fetchedverbUS /fetʃt/
past form of “fetch” — go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
formalitynounUS /fɔːrˈmæləti/
a requirement of etiquette or custom
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Tell her I’m as full of news as a charity report, please, and I rather guess that will fetch her.”
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Tell her I’m as full of news as a charity report, please, and I rather guess that will fetch her.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading “Do you think,” Blair asked her, “that Miss Lane would see me half a minute?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Do you think,” Blair asked her, “that Miss Lane would see me half a minute?
Higgins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I called yesterday, and the day before, as soon as I saw that there was a substitute singing in _Mandalay_.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tell her I’m as full of news as a charity report, please, and I rather guess that will fetch her.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
a narrow way or road
From this reading “Do you think,” Blair asked her, “that Miss Lane would see me half a minute?
Lane'snounUS /leɪnz/
possessive form of “lane” — a narrow way or road
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
languidlyadverb
in a languid and lethargic manner
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
MandalaynounUS /ˈmændəleɪ/
a city in central Myanmar to the north of Rangoon
From this reading I called yesterday, and the day before, as soon as I saw that there was a substitute singing in _Mandalay_.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Do you think,” Blair asked her, “that Miss Lane would see me half a minute?
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading “Do you think,” Blair asked her, “that Miss Lane would see me half a minute?
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
information about recent and important events
From this reading Tell her I’m as full of news as a charity report, please, and I rather guess that will fetch her.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
photographsnounUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræfs/
plural of “photograph” — a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide or in digital format
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Tell her I’m as full of news as a charity report, please, and I rather guess that will fetch her.”
on the contrary
From this reading Tell her I’m as full of news as a charity report, please, and I rather guess that will fetch her.”
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading Tell her I’m as full of news as a charity report, please, and I rather guess that will fetch her.”
SavoynounUS /səˈvɔɪ/
a geographical region of historical importance; a former duchy in what is now southwestern France, western Switzerland, and northwestern Italy
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
cut with a saw
From this reading I called yesterday, and the day before, as soon as I saw that there was a substitute singing in _Mandalay_.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “Do you think,” Blair asked her, “that Miss Lane would see me half a minute?
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading I called yesterday, and the day before, as soon as I saw that there was a substitute singing in _Mandalay_.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
in the near future
From this reading I called yesterday, and the day before, as soon as I saw that there was a substitute singing in _Mandalay_.
substituteverbUS /ˈsʌbstətuːt/
put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items
From this reading I called yesterday, and the day before, as soon as I saw that there was a substitute singing in _Mandalay_.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
express in words
From this reading Tell her I’m as full of news as a charity report, please, and I rather guess that will fetch her.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Do you think,” Blair asked her, “that Miss Lane would see me half a minute?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I called yesterday, and the day before, as soon as I saw that there was a substitute singing in _Mandalay_.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “Do you think,” Blair asked her, “that Miss Lane would see me half a minute?
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
someone who visits
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Something fetched her, for in a few minutes she came languidly in, and by the way she smiled at her visitor it might be thought Dan Blair’s name alone had brought her in.
at the time that
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
which person or people
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Tell her I’m as full of news as a charity report, please, and I rather guess that will fetch her.”
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Mrs. Higgins, in Miss Lane’s apartment at the Savoy, was adjusting the photographs and arranging the flowers when she was surprised by a caller, who came up without the formality of sending his name.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Do you think,” Blair asked her, “that Miss Lane would see me half a minute?
the day immediately before today
From this reading I called yesterday, and the day before, as soon as I saw that there was a substitute singing in _Mandalay_.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Do you think,” Blair asked her, “that Miss Lane would see me half a minute?
