used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
(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 Gavin should have taken the greatest interest in all this, but he did not.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
BELFRYnounUS /ˈbelfri/
a bell tower; usually stands alone unattached to a building
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Gavin should have taken the greatest interest in all this, but he did not.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
candornounUS /ˈkændər/
ability to make judgments free from discrimination or dishonesty
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
decayingverbUS /dɪˈkeɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “decay” — lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
declareverbUS /dɪˈkler/
state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
departuresnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtʃərz/
plural of “departure” — the act of departing
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Gavin should have taken the greatest interest in all this, but he did not.
distastefuladjectiveUS /dɪˈsteɪstfəl/
not pleasing in odor or taste
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
esteemnounUS /əˈstiːm/
the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded)
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
Evelyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
examinationnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
fabricnounUS /ˈfæbrɪk/
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
fascinatingadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
Gavin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gavin should have taken the greatest interest in all this, but he did not.
Gavin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
highest in quality
From this reading Gavin should have taken the greatest interest in all this, but he did not.
habitualadjectiveUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəl/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Gavin should have taken the greatest interest in all this, but he did not.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Gavin should have taken the greatest interest in all this, but he did not.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
laddersnounUS /ˈlædərz/
plural of “ladder” — steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
engage in
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Gavin should have taken the greatest interest in all this, but he did not.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
perpendicularitynoun
the relation of opposition between things at right angles
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
plumb-line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
pretendedadjectiveUS /priˈtendɪd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
pronouncedadjectiveUS /prəˈnaʊnst/
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
rescueverbUS /ˈreskjuː/
free from harm or evil
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
scaffoldnounUS /ˈskæfəld/
a platform from which criminals are executed (hanged or beheaded)
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
shockingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɑːkɪŋ/
glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Gavin should have taken the greatest interest in all this, but he did not.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
causing surprise or wonder or amazement
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Gavin should have taken the greatest interest in all this, but he did not.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
text-books
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
precisely as stated
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The old building was in a shocking state certainly; the plumb-line declared surprising departures from that stately grace of perpendicularity the text-books had taught him to esteem.
at the time that
From this reading To this height he climbed early in the day, when began an examination of the decaying fabric and set down the first lines of the report he had to make to the Earl.
in the company of; together with
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
workmennounUS /ˈwɜːrkmɪn/
plural of “workman” — an employee who performs manual or industrial labor
From this reading FROM THE BELFRY TOWER Gavin's little band of workmen ran up a light scaffold of ladders and boards for him against the belfry tower, and had it finished upon the morning of the conversation with the Lady Evelyn.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
the day immediately before today
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Had you spoken to him yesterday, he would have been ready to declare that nothing on earth could be more fascinating than the very task he now pretended to be engaged upon; but his habitual candor came to his rescue to-day and he now pronounced the work to be almost distasteful.
