used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
after-dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.
cigarettenounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈet/
finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.
Gobion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.
Grosvenor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
INITIATIONnounUS /ˌɪnɪʃiˈeɪʃən/
a formal entry into an organization or position or office
From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
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 He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
provided with artificial light
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
loungesnounUS /ˈlaʊndʒɪz/
plural of “lounge” — an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
pleasinglyadverbUS /ˈpliːzɪŋli/
in a pleasing manner
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
pleasurableadjectiveUS /ˈpleʒərəbəl/
affording satisfaction or pleasure
From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading A most pleasurable feeling of excitement possessed him.
resourcenounUS /ˈriːsɔːrs/
available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.
unrestrainedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnriˈstreɪnd/
not subject to restraint
From this reading Never before had he been so free, so unrestrained.
unscrupulousadjectiveUS /ənˈskruːpjələs/
without scruples or principles
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
well-dressedadjective
having tasteful clothing and being scrupulously neat
From this reading He stood in the hall after dinner and lit a cigarette, watching the crowd of well-dressed people on the lounges round the wall, enjoying their after-dinner coffee.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading _INITIATION._ Gobion went to the Grosvenor Hotel and dressed for dinner.
in or at the place that
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He knew he could venture where another man would fail; he had fascination, resource--he was utterly unscrupulous; it was almost pleasingly dramatic.
