used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
amazingadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading The superintendent had witnessed Thorndyke’s amazing proceedings with an astonishment that left him speechless.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The superintendent had witnessed Thorndyke’s amazing proceedings with an astonishment that left him speechless.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading The superintendent had witnessed Thorndyke’s amazing proceedings with an astonishment that left him speechless.
next to; at the side of
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
boot-sole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
put or send forth
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
circularadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkjələr/
having the shape or form of a circle
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
without doubt or question
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The superintendent had witnessed Thorndyke’s amazing proceedings with an astonishment that left him speechless.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
heelnounUS /hiːl/
the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The superintendent had witnessed Thorndyke’s amazing proceedings with an astonishment that left him speechless.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
injurynounUS /ˈɪndʒəri/
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Just take it round and show it to them,” he said.
and nothing more
From this reading “Just take it round and show it to them,” he said.
set down according to a plan
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
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 The superintendent had witnessed Thorndyke’s amazing proceedings with an astonishment that left him speechless.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
used to form the superlative
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
obliquelyadverbUS /əˈbliːkli/
to, toward or at one side
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
patchnounUS /pætʃ/
a small contrasting part of something
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
compacted by ironing
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
proceedingsnounUS /proʊˈsiːdɪŋz/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading The superintendent had witnessed Thorndyke’s amazing proceedings with an astonishment that left him speechless.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
research-case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading “Just take it round and show it to them,” he said.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Just take it round and show it to them,” he said.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading “Just take it round and show it to them,” he said.
snow-whiteadjective
of the white color of snow
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
speechlessadjectiveUS /ˈspiːtʃləs/
temporarily incapable of speaking
From this reading The superintendent had witnessed Thorndyke’s amazing proceedings with an astonishment that left him speechless.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
superintendentnounUS /ˌsuːpərənˈtendənt/
a person who directs and manages an organization
From this reading The superintendent had witnessed Thorndyke’s amazing proceedings with an astonishment that left him speechless.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
carry out
From this reading “Just take it round and show it to them,” he said.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The superintendent had witnessed Thorndyke’s amazing proceedings with an astonishment that left him speechless.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “Just take it round and show it to them,” he said.
Thorndyke's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The superintendent had witnessed Thorndyke’s amazing proceedings with an astonishment that left him speechless.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Just take it round and show it to them,” he said.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
unshapelyadjective
not well-proportioned and pleasing in shape
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading But now he sprang to his feet, and, as I walked round the table, he pressed beside me to guard the precious cast from possible injury.
be dressed in
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I laid it carefully down on the table, and as the light fell on it obliquely, it presented a most striking appearance--that of a snow-white boot-sole on which the unshapely patch, the circular heel, and the marks of wear were clearly visible.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The superintendent had witnessed Thorndyke’s amazing proceedings with an astonishment that left him speechless.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without waiting for a reply, he opened the research-case and took out the cast, which he placed in my hands.
witnessedverbUS /ˈwɪtnəst/
past form of “witness” — be a witness to
From this reading The superintendent had witnessed Thorndyke’s amazing proceedings with an astonishment that left him speechless.
