used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
acquaintverbUS /əˈkweɪnt/
cause to come to know personally
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was useless, therefore, to try to communicate with him before he reached his office, which would be at ten precisely.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
bootynounUS /ˈbuːti/
goods or money obtained illegally
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
communicateverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪt/
transmit information
From this reading It was useless, therefore, to try to communicate with him before he reached his office, which would be at ten precisely.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The pressing incidents that had followed had put it for the time completely out of his mind.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
developmentsnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənts/
plural of “development” — act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
give expression to
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
the organ of sight
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
figuringnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərɪŋ/
problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The pressing incidents that had followed had put it for the time completely out of his mind.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
Fullerton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
Howell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading The pressing incidents that had followed had put it for the time completely out of his mind.
intrusionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːʒən/
any entry into an area not previously occupied
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
knottedadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːtɪd/
tied with a knot
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
immediately past
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
LyonnounUS /ˈlaɪən/
a city in east-central France on the Rhone River; a principal producer of silk and rayon
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
not any; not one
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading It was useless, therefore, to try to communicate with him before he reached his office, which would be at ten precisely.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The pressing incidents that had followed had put it for the time completely out of his mind.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
preciselyadverbUS /prɪˈsaɪsli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading It was useless, therefore, to try to communicate with him before he reached his office, which would be at ten precisely.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading The pressing incidents that had followed had put it for the time completely out of his mind.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The pressing incidents that had followed had put it for the time completely out of his mind.
raidverbUS /reɪd/
search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading It was useless, therefore, to try to communicate with him before he reached his office, which would be at ten precisely.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
in the near future
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
speculatingverbUS /ˈspekjəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “speculate” — to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading It was useless, therefore, to try to communicate with him before he reached his office, which would be at ten precisely.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading It was useless, therefore, to try to communicate with him before he reached his office, which would be at ten precisely.
a special situation
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading It was useless, therefore, to try to communicate with him before he reached his office, which would be at ten precisely.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading It was useless, therefore, to try to communicate with him before he reached his office, which would be at ten precisely.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
wardingverbUS /ˈwɔːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “ward” — watch over or shield from danger or harm; protect
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Although it was nearly three before Lyon went to sleep, he awoke the next morning earlier than usual and lay for some time figuring on the problem that possessed his mind before he thought of such a thing as dressing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was useless, therefore, to try to communicate with him before he reached his office, which would be at ten precisely.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While Lyon lay speculating on the situation, his eye fell upon the knotted handkerchief containing the booty which he had brought away from his raid upon Fullerton's room last night.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He must see Howell and acquaint him with the strange developments of the night before as soon as possible, but Howell was old-fashioned, and he kept no telephone at his residence, for the express purpose of warding off the intrusion of business matters upon his hours at home.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was useless, therefore, to try to communicate with him before he reached his office, which would be at ten precisely.
