used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
alertnessnounUS /əˈlɜːrtnəs/
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
(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 * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
assurancenounUS /əˈʃʊrəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He moved rapidly, not to say impatiently, but with an assurance that invested his figure with an informal sort of dignity.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
confined by bonds
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He moved rapidly, not to say impatiently, but with an assurance that invested his figure with an informal sort of dignity.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading His carriage was erect and his tread was firm to the end.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
colleaguenounUS /ˈkɑːliɡ/
an associate that one works with
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
compactnounUS /ˈkɑːmpækt/
a small cosmetics case with a mirror; to be carried in a woman's purse
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading He moved rapidly, not to say impatiently, but with an assurance that invested his figure with an informal sort of dignity.
being one more than seven
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading His carriage was erect and his tread was firm to the end.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading His carriage was erect and his tread was firm to the end.
divisible by two
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading He moved rapidly, not to say impatiently, but with an assurance that invested his figure with an informal sort of dignity.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading His carriage was erect and his tread was firm to the end.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
with impatience; in an impatient manner
From this reading He moved rapidly, not to say impatiently, but with an assurance that invested his figure with an informal sort of dignity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
informaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrməl/
not formal
From this reading He moved rapidly, not to say impatiently, but with an assurance that invested his figure with an informal sort of dignity.
investedverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəd/
past form of “invest” — make an investment
From this reading He moved rapidly, not to say impatiently, but with an assurance that invested his figure with an informal sort of dignity.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
immediately past
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
likenessesnounUS /ˈlaɪknəsɪz/
plural of “likeness” — similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
mediumnounUS /ˈmiːdiəm/
a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading He moved rapidly, not to say impatiently, but with an assurance that invested his figure with an informal sort of dignity.
muscularadjectiveUS /ˈmʌskjələr/
of or relating to or consisting of muscle
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He moved rapidly, not to say impatiently, but with an assurance that invested his figure with an informal sort of dignity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
one-halfnoun
one of two equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
photographsnounUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræfs/
plural of “photograph” — a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide or in digital format
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
with speed
From this reading He moved rapidly, not to say impatiently, but with an assurance that invested his figure with an informal sort of dignity.
reproducedverbUS /ˌriːprəˈduːst/
past form of “reproduce” — make a copy or equivalent of
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
Royce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
express in words
From this reading He moved rapidly, not to say impatiently, but with an assurance that invested his figure with an informal sort of dignity.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading He moved rapidly, not to say impatiently, but with an assurance that invested his figure with an informal sort of dignity.
refrain from harming
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
suggestsverbUS /səˈdʒests/
third-person singular of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
carry out
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading His carriage was erect and his tread was firm to the end.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
UntilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Until he was over fifty he used to take the stairs of his own house two, or even three, steps at a bound.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading * * * * * The photographs of James reproduced in this book are all excellent "likenesses," and one, with his colleague, Royce, caught an attitude which suggests the alertness that marked his bearing.
a late time of life
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading He was of medium height (about five feet eight and one-half inches), and though he was muscular and compact, his frame was slight and he appeared to be slender in youth, spare in his last years.
