used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
how long something has existed
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
exhale hard
From this reading In fact, the first blow had fallen upon that fine intellect whose subsequent eccentricities gained for him the sobriquet of the mad duke.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
decipheredadjectiveUS /dɪˈsaɪfərd/
converted from cryptic to intelligible language
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
decrepitadjectiveUS /dəˈkrepɪt/
worn and broken down by hard use
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading The Duke of Hereward had grown ten years older in the half hour he had spent in the perusal of this fatal letter.
eccentricitiesnounUS /ˌeksenˈtrɪsɪtiz/
plural of “eccentricity” — strange and unconventional behavior
From this reading In fact, the first blow had fallen upon that fine intellect whose subsequent eccentricities gained for him the sobriquet of the mad duke.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact, the first blow had fallen upon that fine intellect whose subsequent eccentricities gained for him the sobriquet of the mad duke.
faintnessnounUS /ˈfeɪntnəs/
a feeling of faintness and of being ready to swoon
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading In fact, the first blow had fallen upon that fine intellect whose subsequent eccentricities gained for him the sobriquet of the mad duke.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading The Duke of Hereward had grown ten years older in the half hour he had spent in the perusal of this fatal letter.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In fact, the first blow had fallen upon that fine intellect whose subsequent eccentricities gained for him the sobriquet of the mad duke.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading In fact, the first blow had fallen upon that fine intellect whose subsequent eccentricities gained for him the sobriquet of the mad duke.
a man of refinement
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading The Duke of Hereward had grown ten years older in the half hour he had spent in the perusal of this fatal letter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Duke of Hereward had grown ten years older in the half hour he had spent in the perusal of this fatal letter.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The Duke of Hereward had grown ten years older in the half hour he had spent in the perusal of this fatal letter.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Duke of Hereward had grown ten years older in the half hour he had spent in the perusal of this fatal letter.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading HER SON.
Hereward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Duke of Hereward had grown ten years older in the half hour he had spent in the perusal of this fatal letter.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In fact, the first blow had fallen upon that fine intellect whose subsequent eccentricities gained for him the sobriquet of the mad duke.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The Duke of Hereward had grown ten years older in the half hour he had spent in the perusal of this fatal letter.
illegibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈledʒəbəl/
(of handwriting, print, etc.) not legible
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
intellectnounUS /ˈɪntəlekt/
knowledge and intellectual ability
From this reading In fact, the first blow had fallen upon that fine intellect whose subsequent eccentricities gained for him the sobriquet of the mad duke.
irregularitynounUS /ˌɪreɡjəˈlerəti/
behavior that breaches the rule or etiquette or custom or morality
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
immediately past
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
for more time
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
roused to anger
From this reading In fact, the first blow had fallen upon that fine intellect whose subsequent eccentricities gained for him the sobriquet of the mad duke.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
not any; not one
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading The Duke of Hereward had grown ten years older in the half hour he had spent in the perusal of this fatal letter.
and nothing more
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
perusalnounUS /pərˈuːzəl/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading The Duke of Hereward had grown ten years older in the half hour he had spent in the perusal of this fatal letter.
proxynounUS /ˈprɑːksi/
a person authorized to act for another
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
destroyed physically or morally
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
scratchesnounUS /ˈskrætʃəz/
plural of “scratch” — an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
seventy-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈsevəntifaɪv/
being five more than seventy
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
signaturenounUS /ˈsɪɡnətʃər/
your name written in your own handwriting
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
sixty-fiveadjective
being five more than sixty
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
skeinnounUS /skeɪn/
coils of worsted yarn
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
sobriquetnounUS /ˈsoʊbrəkeɪ/
a familiar name for a person (often a shortened version of a person's given name)
From this reading In fact, the first blow had fallen upon that fine intellect whose subsequent eccentricities gained for him the sobriquet of the mad duke.
a male human offspring
From this reading HER SON.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading The Duke of Hereward had grown ten years older in the half hour he had spent in the perusal of this fatal letter.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
subsequentadjectiveUS /ˈsʌbsəkwənt/
following in time or order
From this reading In fact, the first blow had fallen upon that fine intellect whose subsequent eccentricities gained for him the sobriquet of the mad duke.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading The Duke of Hereward had grown ten years older in the half hour he had spent in the perusal of this fatal letter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In fact, the first blow had fallen upon that fine intellect whose subsequent eccentricities gained for him the sobriquet of the mad duke.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was no longer only sixty-five years of age, and a "fine old English gentleman;" he seemed fully seventy-five years old, and a broken, decrepit, ruined man.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The last lines of this sad letter were almost illegible in their faintness and irregularity; and the tangled skein of light scratches that stood proxy for a signature could never have been deciphered by the skill of man.
belonging to which person
From this reading In fact, the first blow had fallen upon that fine intellect whose subsequent eccentricities gained for him the sobriquet of the mad duke.
a late time of life
From this reading The Duke of Hereward had grown ten years older in the half hour he had spent in the perusal of this fatal letter.
