used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
(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 With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
AntonynounUS /ˈæntəni/
Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)
From this reading "Do you know if Sir Antony is up yet, Mary?" he inquired.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
banisters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the passage outside a neatly dressed housemaid was engaged in the task of polishing the banisters.
business-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
cabinetsnounUS /ˈkæbənəts/
plural of “cabinet” — a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
chieflyadverbUS /ˈtʃiːfli/
for the most part
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
deliberationnounUS /dɪˌlɪbərˈeɪʃən/
(usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Do you know if Sir Antony is up yet, Mary?" he inquired.
documentnounUS /ˈdɑːkjəment/
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading In the passage outside a neatly dressed housemaid was engaged in the task of polishing the banisters.
being one more than ten
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading In the passage outside a neatly dressed housemaid was engaged in the task of polishing the banisters.
extractedverbUS /ekˈstræktɪd/
past form of “extract” — remove, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
filingnounUS /ˈfaɪlɪŋ/
the entering of a legal document into the public record
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
an informal term for a youth or man
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
housemaidnoun
a female domestic
From this reading In the passage outside a neatly dressed housemaid was engaged in the task of polishing the banisters.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Do you know if Sir Antony is up yet, Mary?" he inquired.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading "Do you know if Sir Antony is up yet, Mary?" he inquired.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Do you know if Sir Antony is up yet, Mary?" he inquired.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Do you know if Sir Antony is up yet, Mary?" he inquired.
set down according to a plan
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
LENIENCYnounUS /ˈliːnjənsi/
mercifulness as a consequence of being lenient or tolerant
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
mantelpiecenoun
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
mapsnounUS /mæps/
plural of “map” — a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading "Do you know if Sir Antony is up yet, Mary?" he inquired.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/
with neatness
From this reading In the passage outside a neatly dressed housemaid was engaged in the task of polishing the banisters.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
OlivernounUS /ˈɑːləvər/
United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading In the passage outside a neatly dressed housemaid was engaged in the task of polishing the banisters.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading In the passage outside a neatly dressed housemaid was engaged in the task of polishing the banisters.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
pigeon-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
polishingnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃɪŋ/
the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it
From this reading In the passage outside a neatly dressed housemaid was engaged in the task of polishing the banisters.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
roll-top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
severelyadverbUS /səˈvɪrli/
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
term of address for a man
From this reading "Do you know if Sir Antony is up yet, Mary?" he inquired.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
systematicadjectiveUS /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk/
characterized by order and planning
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading In the passage outside a neatly dressed housemaid was engaged in the task of polishing the banisters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Do you know if Sir Antony is up yet, Mary?" he inquired.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading With that systematic deliberation that marked all his movements he extracted a document from the pigeon-hole in front of him and rising to his feet walked across to the door.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
wipedverbUS /waɪpt/
past form of “wipe” — rub with a circular motion
From this reading THE LENIENCY OF JUSTICE As the clock above the mantelpiece struck eleven, Guy Oliver wiped his pen and laid it carefully down in front of him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was sitting at a roll-top desk in his office--a room of severely business-like aspect, chiefly furnished with maps and filing cabinets.
but in spite of that
From this reading "Do you know if Sir Antony is up yet, Mary?" he inquired.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Do you know if Sir Antony is up yet, Mary?" he inquired.
