used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
abodenounUS /əˈboʊd/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading AN INFORMAL TEA-PARTY After all, the element of unconventionality was absent from Deane's tea-party.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading "My uncle would like to make your acquaintance, Mr. Deane," she said.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AN INFORMAL TEA-PARTY After all, the element of unconventionality was absent from Deane's tea-party.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
(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 AN INFORMAL TEA-PARTY After all, the element of unconventionality was absent from Deane's tea-party.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INFORMAL TEA-PARTY After all, the element of unconventionality was absent from Deane's tea-party.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
Deane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
Deane's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN INFORMAL TEA-PARTY After all, the element of unconventionality was absent from Deane's tea-party.
dykenounUS /daɪk/
(slang) offensive term for a lesbian who is noticeably masculine
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
move gently or carefully
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading AN INFORMAL TEA-PARTY After all, the element of unconventionality was absent from Deane's tea-party.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading AN INFORMAL TEA-PARTY After all, the element of unconventionality was absent from Deane's tea-party.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
fussy-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
INFORMALadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrməl/
not formal
From this reading AN INFORMAL TEA-PARTY After all, the element of unconventionality was absent from Deane's tea-party.
and nothing more
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
knollnounUS /noʊl/
a small natural hill
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
landwardsadverb
toward land
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
immediately past
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "My uncle would like to make your acquaintance, Mr. Deane," she said.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
engage in
From this reading "My uncle would like to make your acquaintance, Mr. Deane," she said.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
moustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "My uncle would like to make your acquaintance, Mr. Deane," she said.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My uncle would like to make your acquaintance, Mr. Deane," she said.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN INFORMAL TEA-PARTY After all, the element of unconventionality was absent from Deane's tea-party.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
a course of conduct
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
RubynounUS /ˈruːbi/
a transparent piece of ruby that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "My uncle would like to make your acquaintance, Mr. Deane," she said.
sandyadjectiveUS /ˈsændi/
of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
cut with a saw
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "My uncle would like to make your acquaintance, Mr. Deane," she said.
shinglenounUS /ˈʃɪŋɡəl/
building material used as siding or roofing
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
SinclairnounUS /sɪnˈkler/
United States writer whose novels argued for social reform (1878-1968)
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
TEA-PARTY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN INFORMAL TEA-PARTY After all, the element of unconventionality was absent from Deane's tea-party.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN INFORMAL TEA-PARTY After all, the element of unconventionality was absent from Deane's tea-party.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "My uncle would like to make your acquaintance, Mr. Deane," she said.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading About four o'clock, looking landwards from a little sandy knoll just in front of his strange abode, he saw two figures coming along the dyke path.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading "My uncle would like to make your acquaintance, Mr. Deane," she said.
unconventionalitynoun
originality by virtue of being unconventional
From this reading AN INFORMAL TEA-PARTY After all, the element of unconventionality was absent from Deane's tea-party.
someone who visits
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN INFORMAL TEA-PARTY After all, the element of unconventionality was absent from Deane's tea-party.
welcomedverbUS /ˈwelkəmd/
past form of “welcome” — accept gladly
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
in or at the place that
From this reading A few minutes later, Ruby Sinclair and her companion came across the last little strip of shingle, and approached the spot where Deane was waiting for them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Deane held out his hand and welcomed his visitor--a small, fussy-looking little man with a gray moustache, and a somewhat awkward air of being at his ease.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "My uncle would like to make your acquaintance, Mr. Deane," she said.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "My uncle would like to make your acquaintance, Mr. Deane," she said.
