used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND UNEXPECTEDLY PRESENTS HIMSELF.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
being joined in close association
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
eagernessnounUS /ˈiːɡərnəs/
a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND UNEXPECTEDLY PRESENTS HIMSELF.
Gascoigne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
Gascoigne's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND UNEXPECTEDLY PRESENTS HIMSELF.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
a single distinct event
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
inferredverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “infer” — reason by deduction; establish by deduction
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
a particular point in time
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
a form of address for a man
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
not any; not one
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
held or filled or in use
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND UNEXPECTEDLY PRESENTS HIMSELF.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
on one occasion
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
a human being
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
PRESENTSnounUS /ˈprezənts/
plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND UNEXPECTEDLY PRESENTS HIMSELF.
railingnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋ/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
railingsnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋz/
plural of “railing” — a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
cut with a saw
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading The moment I looked at the head, which I inferred was attached to the body of a clerk in the service of Mr. Gascoigne, it disappeared, and I paid no attention to it.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During the interview my attention had been attracted several times to a peculiar incident.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
undesignedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
UNEXPECTEDLYadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND UNEXPECTEDLY PRESENTS HIMSELF.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
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 At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
at the time that
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When we entered the office no person was visible behind the desk, and no sounds of it being occupied reached my ears; but, happening once to look undesignedly in that direction, I saw a gray head raised above the railings, the owner of which was regarding me, I thought, with a certain eagerness and curiosity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At the extreme end of Mr. Gascoigne's office, close against the wall, was a high desk, with an old-fashioned railing around it, the back of the desk being toward me.
