used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
matters of personal concern
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
(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 He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
Allan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Gardiner knew a little room at the back of the bar, to which he escorted his guests.
avoidedverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪd/
past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Gardiner knew a little room at the back of the bar, to which he escorted his guests.
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading Gardiner knew a little room at the back of the bar, to which he escorted his guests.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped
From this reading Having ordered a bottle and glasses on the table, he turned the key in the door.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
cropsnounUS /krɑːps/
plural of “crop” — the yield from plants in a single growing season
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
discreetlyadverbUS /dɪˈskriːtli/
with discretion; prudently and with wise self-restraint
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Having ordered a bottle and glasses on the table, he turned the key in the door.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
escortedverbUS /eˈskɔːrtɪd/
past form of “escort” — accompany as an escort
From this reading Gardiner knew a little room at the back of the bar, to which he escorted his guests.
a social unit living together
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
GardinernounUS /ˈɡɑːrdnər/
British historian remembered for his ten-volume history of England (1829-1902)
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
Gardiner's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
glassesnounUS /ˈɡlæsəz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading Having ordered a bottle and glasses on the table, he turned the key in the door.
the act of departing
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Gardiner knew a little room at the back of the bar, to which he escorted his guests.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
HarrisnounUS /ˈherɪs/
United States author who wrote the stories about Uncle Remus (1848-1908)
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
HarrisesnounUS /ˈhærɪsɪz/
plural of “harris” — United States author who wrote the stories about Uncle Remus (1848-1908)
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading Having ordered a bottle and glasses on the table, he turned the key in the door.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Gardiner knew a little room at the back of the bar, to which he escorted his guests.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Gardiner knew a little room at the back of the bar, to which he escorted his guests.
LUREnounUS /lʊr/
qualities that attract by seeming to promise some kind of reward
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading Having ordered a bottle and glasses on the table, he turned the key in the door.
over-familiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
RilesverbUS /raɪlz/
third-person singular of “rile” — cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Gardiner knew a little room at the back of the bar, to which he escorted his guests.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
smoothlyadverbUS /ˈsmuːðli/
with no problems or difficulties
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Having ordered a bottle and glasses on the table, he turned the key in the door.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He shook Harris and Allan by the hand, inquired after the cattle and the crops, but discreetly avoided family matters, having learned from Riles that all had not been going smoothly in their domestic affairs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Gardiner knew a little room at the back of the bar, to which he escorted his guests.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Having ordered a bottle and glasses on the table, he turned the key in the door.
waiting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LURE OF EASY MONEY In the afternoon Gardiner and Riles drove into town and met the Harrises in the waiting-room of the hotel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Gardiner knew a little room at the back of the bar, to which he escorted his guests.
which person or people
From this reading Gardiner's greeting was friendly, but not over-familiar, as became a man who had recently suffered some reflection on his character.
