completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
acted upon; influenced
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
AmbassadornounUS /æmˈbæsədər/
a diplomat of the highest rank; accredited as representative from one country to another
From this reading DOCTOR BERSONIN The Ambassador received his caller in his study.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
BERSONIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DOCTOR BERSONIN The Ambassador received his caller in his study.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
bookshelvesnounUS /ˈbʊkʃelvz/
plural of “bookshelf” — a shelf on which to keep books
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
callernounUS /ˈkɔːlər/
a social or business visitor
From this reading DOCTOR BERSONIN The Ambassador received his caller in his study.
colorlessadjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərləs/
lacking in variety and interest
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
desk-lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading She could hear his voice distinctly.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading DOCTOR BERSONIN The Ambassador received his caller in his study.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
divisible by two
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
expert'snounUS /ˈekspərts/
possessive form of “expert” — a person with special knowledge or ability who performs skillfully
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
flatnessnounUS /ˈflætnəs/
the property of having two dimensions
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
formlessadjective
having no definite form or distinct shape
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
half-open
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
hawk-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading She could hear his voice distinctly.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading DOCTOR BERSONIN The Ambassador received his caller in his study.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DOCTOR BERSONIN The Ambassador received his caller in his study.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
limpidadjective
clear and bright
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
linedadjectiveUS /laɪnd/
bordered by a line of things
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
pallidadjectiveUS /ˈpæləd/
abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
profilenounUS /ˈproʊfaɪl/
an analysis (often in graphical form) representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading DOCTOR BERSONIN The Ambassador received his caller in his study.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She could hear his voice distinctly.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading DOCTOR BERSONIN The Ambassador received his caller in his study.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DOCTOR BERSONIN The Ambassador received his caller in his study.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
tone-quality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading She could hear his voice distinctly.
plural of “wall” — 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 The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
in or at the place that
From this reading From across the hall, Barbara, through the half-open door, could see the expert's huge form filling an arm-chair, where the limpid light of the desk-lamp fell on his heavy, colorless face.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The walls were lined with bookshelves and curtains of low tone, and against this formless background his big profile stood out pallid and hawk-like.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Its even, dead flatness affected her curiously; it was not harsh, but absolutely without tone-quality or sympathy.
