used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ARMYTAGE ARRIVES Dr. Armytage, for whom Harry had telegraphed, arrived about nine that night.
adequateadjectiveUS /ˈædəkwət/
having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
(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 But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
aquilineadjective
curved down like an eagle's beak
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
ARMYTAGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ARMYTAGE ARRIVES Dr. Armytage, for whom Harry had telegraphed, arrived about nine that night.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading ARMYTAGE ARRIVES Dr. Armytage, for whom Harry had telegraphed, arrived about nine that night.
ARRIVESverbUS /ərˈaɪvz/
third-person singular of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading ARMYTAGE ARRIVES Dr. Armytage, for whom Harry had telegraphed, arrived about nine that night.
belatedadjectiveUS /bɪˈleɪtɪd/
after the expected or usual time; delayed
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
bewildermentnounUS /bɪˈwɪldərmənt/
confusion resulting from failure to understand
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
blue-blackadjective
of black tinged with blue
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
competentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpətɪnt/
properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
cropnounUS /krɑːp/
the yield from plants in a single growing season
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
diningnounUS /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/
the act of eating dinner
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
distractedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstræktəd/
having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
DR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DR.
eyebrowsnounUS /ˈaɪbraʊz/
plural of “eyebrow” — the arch of hair above each eye
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ARMYTAGE ARRIVES Dr. Armytage, for whom Harry had telegraphed, arrived about nine that night.
set up or found
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ARMYTAGE ARRIVES Dr. Armytage, for whom Harry had telegraphed, arrived about nine that night.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading ARMYTAGE ARRIVES Dr. Armytage, for whom Harry had telegraphed, arrived about nine that night.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading ARMYTAGE ARRIVES Dr. Armytage, for whom Harry had telegraphed, arrived about nine that night.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading ARMYTAGE ARRIVES Dr. Armytage, for whom Harry had telegraphed, arrived about nine that night.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
perplexities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
receiptnounUS /rɪˈsiːt/
the act of receiving
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
secrecynounUS /ˈsiːkrəsi/
the trait of keeping things secret
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
shavenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪvən/
having the beard or hair cut off close to the skin
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
refrain from harming
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
telegraphedverbUS /ˈteləɡræft/
past form of “telegraph” — send cables, wires, or telegrams
From this reading ARMYTAGE ARRIVES Dr. Armytage, for whom Harry had telegraphed, arrived about nine that night.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ARMYTAGE ARRIVES Dr. Armytage, for whom Harry had telegraphed, arrived about nine that night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
tightnessnounUS /ˈtaɪtnəs/
a state occasioned by scarcity of money and a shortage of credit
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
unutterableadjective
too sacred to be uttered
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
the topmost one of two
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In appearance he was a dark man and spare, his chin and upper lip blue-black from a strong crop of hair close shaven; heavy eyebrows nearly met over his aquiline nose; his mouth had a certain secrecy and tightness about it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ARMYTAGE ARRIVES Dr. Armytage, for whom Harry had telegraphed, arrived about nine that night.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He had left London immediately on receipt of the summons without dining, and having seen his patient, came downstairs to join Harry in a belated meal.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading But his manner was that of a man reserved but competent; his thin, delicate hands were neat and firm in their movements; and Harry, torn and distracted by a world of bewilderment, found it an unutterable relief to have put one out of all his perplexities, the care of his uncle, into such adequate hands.
