used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
apologeticadjectiveUS /əˌpɑːləˈdʒetɪk/
offering or expressing apology
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading "I beg your pardon, sir," he said, and his trepidation was apparent in his voice.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He turned and saw Tufnell standing at the half-open door.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading "I beg your pardon, sir," he said, and his trepidation was apparent in his voice.
fearless and daring
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
bracedadjectiveUS /breɪst/
positioned so as to be ready for confrontation or danger
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But might I--that is to say, could you spare me a few minutes' conversation?"
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
Colwyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading "But might I--that is to say, could you spare me a few minutes' conversation?"
coughverbUS /kɑːf/
exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "But might I--that is to say, could you spare me a few minutes' conversation?"
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
deliberationnounUS /dɪˌlɪbərˈeɪʃən/
(usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He turned and saw Tufnell standing at the half-open door.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading "But might I--that is to say, could you spare me a few minutes' conversation?"
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
half-open
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned and saw Tufnell standing at the half-open door.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He turned and saw Tufnell standing at the half-open door.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I beg your pardon, sir," he said, and his trepidation was apparent in his voice.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
irresoluteadjective
uncertain how to act or proceed
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "But might I--that is to say, could you spare me a few minutes' conversation?"
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "But might I--that is to say, could you spare me a few minutes' conversation?"
meekadjectiveUS /miːk/
humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "But might I--that is to say, could you spare me a few minutes' conversation?"
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading "But might I--that is to say, could you spare me a few minutes' conversation?"
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
nervousnessnounUS /ˈnɜːrvəsnəs/
the anxious feeling you have when you have the jitters
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
accept an excuse for
From this reading "I beg your pardon, sir," he said, and his trepidation was apparent in his voice.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I beg your pardon, sir," he said, and his trepidation was apparent in his voice.
cut with a saw
From this reading He turned and saw Tufnell standing at the half-open door.
express in words
From this reading "But might I--that is to say, could you spare me a few minutes' conversation?"
term of address for a man
From this reading "I beg your pardon, sir," he said, and his trepidation was apparent in his voice.
refrain from harming
From this reading "But might I--that is to say, could you spare me a few minutes' conversation?"
having a supporting base
From this reading He turned and saw Tufnell standing at the half-open door.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "But might I--that is to say, could you spare me a few minutes' conversation?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He turned and saw Tufnell standing at the half-open door.
timidadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmɪd/
showing fear and lack of confidence
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
trepidationnounUS /ˌtrepɪˈdeɪʃən/
a feeling of alarm or dread
From this reading "I beg your pardon, sir," he said, and his trepidation was apparent in his voice.
Tufnell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned and saw Tufnell standing at the half-open door.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He turned and saw Tufnell standing at the half-open door.
on a floor above
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "I beg your pardon, sir," he said, and his trepidation was apparent in his voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
at the time that
From this reading Colwyn was upstairs in his bedroom preparing for his return journey to London when a meek knock and an apologetic cough reached his ears.
which person or people
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading The face of the old butler wore a look of mingled determination and nervousness--the expression of a timid man who had braced himself to a bold course of action after much irresolute deliberation.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "But might I--that is to say, could you spare me a few minutes' conversation?"
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I beg your pardon, sir," he said, and his trepidation was apparent in his voice.
