used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
(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 There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
ash-tray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
blent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
blurverbUS /blɜːr/
become glassy; lose clear vision
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
brain-storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All of his early life had been impeccable, all save that single lapse--that "brain-storm" which had convulsed the deep and quiet waters of his nature.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
convulsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All of his early life had been impeccable, all save that single lapse--that "brain-storm" which had convulsed the deep and quiet waters of his nature.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading All of his early life had been impeccable, all save that single lapse--that "brain-storm" which had convulsed the deep and quiet waters of his nature.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
disconcertedadjective
having self-possession upset; thrown into confusion
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
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 All of his early life had been impeccable, all save that single lapse--that "brain-storm" which had convulsed the deep and quiet waters of his nature.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
green-and-yellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
HANDWRITINGnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
huddleverbUS /ˈhʌdəl/
crowd or draw together
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
impeccableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpekəbəl/
without fault or error
From this reading All of his early life had been impeccable, all save that single lapse--that "brain-storm" which had convulsed the deep and quiet waters of his nature.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
lapseverbUS /læps/
pass into a specified state or condition
From this reading All of his early life had been impeccable, all save that single lapse--that "brain-storm" which had convulsed the deep and quiet waters of his nature.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
a room where books are kept
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading All of his early life had been impeccable, all save that single lapse--that "brain-storm" which had convulsed the deep and quiet waters of his nature.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He was looking at the Handwriting on the Wall.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
moon-lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
moonshinenounUS /ˈmuːnʃaɪn/
the light of the Moon
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading All of his early life had been impeccable, all save that single lapse--that "brain-storm" which had convulsed the deep and quiet waters of his nature.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
odournounUS /ˈoʊdər/
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
photographverbUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræf/
record on photographic film
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
poisonousadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪzənəs/
having the qualities or effects of a poison
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
pungentadjectiveUS /ˈpʌndʒənt/
strong and sharp
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading All of his early life had been impeccable, all save that single lapse--that "brain-storm" which had convulsed the deep and quiet waters of his nature.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
except for; apart from
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading All of his early life had been impeccable, all save that single lapse--that "brain-storm" which had convulsed the deep and quiet waters of his nature.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading He sat like a stone image, staring out into the moon-lighted garden, but really seeing nothing beyond the range of the poisonous ashes at his side, save a green-and-yellow blur that might have been blent of leaves and moonshine.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
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 THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Late that night the Judge sat alone at his desk in the library.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading All of his early life had been impeccable, all save that single lapse--that "brain-storm" which had convulsed the deep and quiet waters of his nature.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
belonging to which person
From this reading There was a faint pungent odour in the room and at his elbow sat an ash-tray on which was a little huddle of brown ashes--all that remained of the photograph whose arrival that afternoon had so disconcerted him.
