adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
agreeableadjectiveUS /əˈɡriːəbəl/
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
amiableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmiəbəl/
disposed to please
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
artillerynounUS /ɑːrˈtɪləri/
large but transportable armament
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
athleticadjectiveUS /æθˈletɪk/
relating to or befitting athletics or athletes
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
attentiveadjectiveUS /əˈtentɪv/
(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But the romance was all in his well-groomed looks, as he was as commonplace a Saxon as could be met with in a day's march.
BellsnounUS /belz/
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
BownounUS /baʊ/
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the romance was all in his well-groomed looks, as he was as commonplace a Saxon as could be met with in a day's march.
captainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
commonplaceadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading But the romance was all in his well-groomed looks, as he was as commonplace a Saxon as could be met with in a day's march.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But the romance was all in his well-groomed looks, as he was as commonplace a Saxon as could be met with in a day's march.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But the romance was all in his well-groomed looks, as he was as commonplace a Saxon as could be met with in a day's march.
devotedadjectiveUS /dɪˈvoʊtɪd/
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
dutiesnounUS /ˈduːtiz/
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
easilyadverbUS /ˈiːzəli/
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
fairadjectiveUS /fer/
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
Fair-hairedadjective
favorite
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
FamilynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
FondadjectiveUS /fɑːnd/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
FrankadjectiveUS /fræŋk/
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/
a man of refinement
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
GermannounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmən/
a person of German nationality
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
goesnounUS /ɡoʊz/
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
goodsnounUS /ɡʊdz/
plural of “good” — benefit
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
HeraldverbUS /ˈherəld/
foreshadow or presage
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
invasionnounUS /ˌɪnˈveɪʒən/
the act of invading; the act of an army that invades for conquest or plunder
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
JournalnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrnəl/
a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
LadiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
looksnounUS /lʊks/
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading But the romance was all in his well-groomed looks, as he was as commonplace a Saxon as could be met with in a day's march.
man-of-the-world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
mannernounUS /ˈmænər/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
marchverbUS /mɑːrtʃ/
march in a procession
From this reading But the romance was all in his well-groomed looks, as he was as commonplace a Saxon as could be met with in a day's march.
metverbUS /met/
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading But the romance was all in his well-groomed looks, as he was as commonplace a Saxon as could be met with in a day's march.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
officernounUS /ˈɔːfəsər/
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
papersnounUS /ˈpeɪpərz/
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
politicsnounUS /ˈpɑːlətɪks/
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/
capable of happening or existing
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
RandomadjectiveUS /ˈrændəm/
lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
resembledverbUS /rɪˈzembəld/
past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
romancenounUS /roʊˈmæns/
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading But the romance was all in his well-groomed looks, as he was as commonplace a Saxon as could be met with in a day's march.
romanticadjectiveUS /roʊˈmæntɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
romanticallyadverbUS /roʊˈmæntɪkəli/
in a romantic manner
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
sauntered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
SaxonnounUS /ˈsæksən/
a member of a Germanic people who conquered England and merged with the Angles and Jutes to become Anglo-Saxons; dominant in England until the Norman Conquest
From this reading But the romance was all in his well-groomed looks, as he was as commonplace a Saxon as could be met with in a day's march.
sayingnounUS /ˈseɪɪŋ/
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
sexnounUS /seks/
activities associated with sexual intercourse
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
shopverbUS /ʃɑːp/
do one's shopping
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
SirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
sportnounUS /spɔːrt/
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
strictlyadverbUS /ˈstrɪktli/
restricted to something
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
troubledadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəld/
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
weeklynounUS /ˈwiːkli/
a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
well-groomedadjective
having tasteful clothing and being scrupulously neat
From this reading But the romance was all in his well-groomed looks, as he was as commonplace a Saxon as could be met with in a day's march.
well-knitadjective
strongly and firmly constructed
From this reading Fair-haired and tall, with a well-knit, athletic figure, a polished manner, and a man-of-the-world air, he strictly resembled the romantic officer of Bow Bells, Family Herald, Young Ladies' Journal fiction.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Fond of sport, attentive to his duties as artillery captain, and devoted to what is romantically known as the fair sex, he sauntered easily through life, very well contented with himself and with his agreeable surroundings.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He read fiction when he did read, and those weekly papers devoted to sport; troubled his head very little about politics, save when they had to do with a possible German invasion, and was always ready to do any one a good turn.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Sir Frank Random was an amiable young gentleman with--as the saying goes--all his goods in the shop window.
