used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading When the two men were opposite each other, only a few feet apart, he almost stopped.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An indefinable suggestion of haste sat on a progress not unduly hurried.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading When the two men were opposite each other, only a few feet apart, he almost stopped.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
baggyadjectiveUS /ˈbæɡi/
not fitting closely; hanging loosely
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
blue-shaved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
clippedadjectiveUS /klɪpt/
cut or trimmed by clipping
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
Doret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading When the two men were opposite each other, only a few feet apart, he almost stopped.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading When the two men were opposite each other, only a few feet apart, he almost stopped.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading When the two men were opposite each other, only a few feet apart, he almost stopped.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment their sharpened visions met, parried, and then the stranger moved on.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading An indefinable suggestion of haste sat on a progress not unduly hurried.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading An indefinable suggestion of haste sat on a progress not unduly hurried.
indefinableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈfaɪnəbəl/
not capable of being precisely or readily described; not easily put into words
From this reading An indefinable suggestion of haste sat on a progress not unduly hurried.
jawverbUS /dʒɔː/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
Lemuel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
the force of workers available
From this reading When the two men were opposite each other, only a few feet apart, he almost stopped.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading For a moment their sharpened visions met, parried, and then the stranger moved on.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment their sharpened visions met, parried, and then the stranger moved on.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading For a moment their sharpened visions met, parried, and then the stranger moved on.
mustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading An indefinable suggestion of haste sat on a progress not unduly hurried.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading An indefinable suggestion of haste sat on a progress not unduly hurried.
and nothing more
From this reading When the two men were opposite each other, only a few feet apart, he almost stopped.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading When the two men were opposite each other, only a few feet apart, he almost stopped.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading When the two men were opposite each other, only a few feet apart, he almost stopped.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
parriedverbUS /ˈperid/
inflected form of “parry” — impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
From this reading For a moment their sharpened visions met, parried, and then the stranger moved on.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading An indefinable suggestion of haste sat on a progress not unduly hurried.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading An indefinable suggestion of haste sat on a progress not unduly hurried.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
sharpenedadjectiveUS /ˈʃɑːrpənd/
having the point made sharp
From this reading For a moment their sharpened visions met, parried, and then the stranger moved on.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading When the two men were opposite each other, only a few feet apart, he almost stopped.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading For a moment their sharpened visions met, parried, and then the stranger moved on.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading An indefinable suggestion of haste sat on a progress not unduly hurried.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For a moment their sharpened visions met, parried, and then the stranger moved on.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading For a moment their sharpened visions met, parried, and then the stranger moved on.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading When the two men were opposite each other, only a few feet apart, he almost stopped.
undulyadverbUS /ənˈduːli/
to an undue degree
From this reading An indefinable suggestion of haste sat on a progress not unduly hurried.
visionsnounUS /ˈvɪʒənz/
plural of “vision” — a vivid mental image
From this reading For a moment their sharpened visions met, parried, and then the stranger moved on.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading But as he caught sight of Lemuel Doret he walked more and more slowly, returning his fixed attention.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When the two men were opposite each other, only a few feet apart, he almost stopped.
at the time that
From this reading When the two men were opposite each other, only a few feet apart, he almost stopped.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The object of this scrutiny had a pale countenance with a carefully clipped mustache, baggy eyes and a blue-shaved heavy jaw.
