used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
(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 Hair, face, beard, all bore the same distinguishing qualities, were long and thin and yellow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
any person at all
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading Hair, face, beard, all bore the same distinguishing qualities, were long and thin and yellow.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
best-knownadjective
most familiar or renowned
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
cause to be bored
From this reading Hair, face, beard, all bore the same distinguishing qualities, were long and thin and yellow.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
Capper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KERNEL OF THE DIFFICULTY "I want to know!" said Capper, with extreme deliberation.
coiledadjectiveUS /kɔɪld/
curled or wound (especially in concentric rings or spirals)
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
crackedadjectiveUS /krækt/
used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
deliberationnounUS /dɪˌlɪbərˈeɪʃən/
(usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question
From this reading THE KERNEL OF THE DIFFICULTY "I want to know!" said Capper, with extreme deliberation.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading THE KERNEL OF THE DIFFICULTY "I want to know!" said Capper, with extreme deliberation.
distinguishingverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “distinguish” — mark as different
From this reading Hair, face, beard, all bore the same distinguishing qualities, were long and thin and yellow.
EvangelicaladjectiveUS /ˌiːvænˈdʒelɪkəl/
relating to or being a Christian church believing in personal conversion and the inerrancy of the Bible especially the 4 Gospels
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading THE KERNEL OF THE DIFFICULTY "I want to know!" said Capper, with extreme deliberation.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Hair, face, beard, all bore the same distinguishing qualities, were long and thin and yellow.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Hair, face, beard, all bore the same distinguishing qualities, were long and thin and yellow.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE KERNEL OF THE DIFFICULTY "I want to know!" said Capper, with extreme deliberation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
independentlyadverbUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendəntli/
on your own; without outside help
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
intolerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
jointnounUS /dʒɔɪnt/
(anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
KERNELnounUS /ˈkɜːrnəl/
the inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone
From this reading THE KERNEL OF THE DIFFICULTY "I want to know!" said Capper, with extreme deliberation.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading THE KERNEL OF THE DIFFICULTY "I want to know!" said Capper, with extreme deliberation.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Hair, face, beard, all bore the same distinguishing qualities, were long and thin and yellow.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
in motion
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
much-knotted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE KERNEL OF THE DIFFICULTY "I want to know!" said Capper, with extreme deliberation.
parsonnounUS /ˈpɑːrsən/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
persistentlyadverbUS /pərˈsɪstəntli/
in a persistent manner
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading Hair, face, beard, all bore the same distinguishing qualities, were long and thin and yellow.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading THE KERNEL OF THE DIFFICULTY "I want to know!" said Capper, with extreme deliberation.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Hair, face, beard, all bore the same distinguishing qualities, were long and thin and yellow.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
seedyadjectiveUS /ˈsiːdi/
full of seeds
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading He sat coiled like a much-knotted piece of string, and he seemed to possess the power of moving any joint in his body independently of the rest.
surgeonnounUS /ˈsɜːrdʒən/
a physician who specializes in surgery
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE KERNEL OF THE DIFFICULTY "I want to know!" said Capper, with extreme deliberation.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Hair, face, beard, all bore the same distinguishing qualities, were long and thin and yellow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE KERNEL OF THE DIFFICULTY "I want to know!" said Capper, with extreme deliberation.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading THE KERNEL OF THE DIFFICULTY "I want to know!" said Capper, with extreme deliberation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was the best-known surgeon in the United States, and he looked like nothing so much as a seedy Evangelical parson.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Hair, face, beard, all bore the same distinguishing qualities, were long and thin and yellow.
at the time that
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE KERNEL OF THE DIFFICULTY "I want to know!" said Capper, with extreme deliberation.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He cracked his fingers persistently when he talked after a fashion that would have been intolerable in anyone but Capper.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Hair, face, beard, all bore the same distinguishing qualities, were long and thin and yellow.
