used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading No doubt he, like myself, was bracing himself for a duel of wits.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE DEVIL'S AUCTION I said as little as possible during the drive homeward.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
AUCTIONnounUS /ˈɑːkʃən/
a variety of bridge in which tricks made in excess of the contract are scored toward game; now generally superseded by contract bridge
From this reading THE DEVIL'S AUCTION I said as little as possible during the drive homeward.
Auguste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
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 As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
bracingnounUS /ˈbreɪsɪŋ/
a structural member used to stiffen a framework
From this reading No doubt he, like myself, was bracing himself for a duel of wits.
cigarsnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːrz/
plural of “cigar” — a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading My companion was equally silent.
DEVIL'SnounUS /ˈdevəlz/
possessive form of “devil” — (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading THE DEVIL'S AUCTION I said as little as possible during the drive homeward.
directnessnounUS /dərˈektnəs/
trueness of course toward a goal
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
discussverbUS /dɪˈskʌs/
to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading No doubt he, like myself, was bracing himself for a duel of wits.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading THE DEVIL'S AUCTION I said as little as possible during the drive homeward.
duelnounUS /ˈduːəl/
a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
From this reading No doubt he, like myself, was bracing himself for a duel of wits.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading THE DEVIL'S AUCTION I said as little as possible during the drive homeward.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading My companion was equally silent.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No doubt he, like myself, was bracing himself for a duel of wits.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
habitualadjectiveUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəl/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No doubt he, like myself, was bracing himself for a duel of wits.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading No doubt he, like myself, was bracing himself for a duel of wits.
homewardadverbUS /ˈhoʊmwərd/
toward home
From this reading THE DEVIL'S AUCTION I said as little as possible during the drive homeward.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE DEVIL'S AUCTION I said as little as possible during the drive homeward.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading No doubt he, like myself, was bracing himself for a duel of wits.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE DEVIL'S AUCTION I said as little as possible during the drive homeward.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My companion was equally silent.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading No doubt he, like myself, was bracing himself for a duel of wits.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
not any; not one
From this reading No doubt he, like myself, was bracing himself for a duel of wits.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading No doubt he, like myself, was bracing himself for a duel of wits.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading THE DEVIL'S AUCTION I said as little as possible during the drive homeward.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
psychologynounUS /saɪˈkɑːlədʒi/
the science of mental life
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading THE DEVIL'S AUCTION I said as little as possible during the drive homeward.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading My companion was equally silent.
in the near future
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
express in words
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DEVIL'S AUCTION I said as little as possible during the drive homeward.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
vodkanounUS /ˈvɑːdkə/
unaged colorless liquor originating in Russia
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My companion was equally silent.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As soon as we were safe in my private room at the hotel, with a bottle of vodka and a box of cigars in front of us, I opened the discussion with my habitual directness.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading No doubt he, like myself, was bracing himself for a duel of wits.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I need not tell you, M. Auguste, that I have not invited you here to discuss questions of psychology.
