used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
AlbertnounUS /ˈælbərt/
prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1861)
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Jeffy was seated at a table, eating.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
Benticks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
BerrynounUS /ˈberi/
any of numerous small and pulpy edible fruits; used as desserts or in making jams and jellies and preserves
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
ChristophernounUS /ˈkrɪstəfər/
Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
costumesnounUS /kɑːˈstuːmz/
plural of “costume” — the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
the act of consuming food
From this reading Jeffy was seated at a table, eating.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
funeralnounUS /ˈfjuːnərəl/
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
furthermoreadverbUS /ˈfɜːrðərmɔːr/
in addition
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
husband'snounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
imminentadjectiveUS /ˈɪmənənt/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
Jeffy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
JoycenounUS /dʒɔɪs/
influential Irish writer noted for his many innovations (such as stream of consciousness writing) (1882-1941)
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
Joyce'snounUS /ˈdʒɔɪsɪz/
possessive form of “joyce” — influential Irish writer noted for his many innovations (such as stream of consciousness writing) (1882-1941)
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
localadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkəl/
relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
morrownounUS /ˈmɑːroʊ/
the next day
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
OakleynounUS /ˈoʊkli/
United States sharpshooter who was featured in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show (1860-1926)
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
outcastnounUS /ˈaʊtkæst/
a person who is rejected (from society or home)
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
outfitnounUS /ˈaʊtfɪt/
any cohesive unit such as a military company
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Jeffy was seated at a table, eating.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
shinyadjectiveUS /ˈʃaɪni/
reflecting light
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
a particular situation
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
sleevesnounUS /sliːvz/
plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
strangulationnounUS /ˌstræŋɡjəˈleɪʃən/
the act of suffocating (someone) by constricting the windpipe
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
causing surprise or wonder or amazement
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Jeffy was seated at a table, eating.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
tightnessnounUS /ˈtaɪtnəs/
a state occasioned by scarcity of money and a shortage of credit
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
topsadjectiveUS /tɑːps/
of the highest quality
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
trousersnounUS /ˈtraʊzərz/
(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
TurnernounUS /ˈtɜːrnər/
United States slave and insurrectionist who in 1831 led a rebellion of slaves in Virginia; he was captured and executed (1800-1831)
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
undertakernounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkər/
one whose business is the management of funerals
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
wardrobenounUS /ˈwɔːrdroʊb/
a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Jeffy was seated at a table, eating.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was a cousin of the Benticks, and Mrs. Joyce had furnished him with a complete outfit from her husband's slender wardrobe for the funeral on the morrow.
wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading Oakley had never known him to be so well or so wonderfully dressed, and he had seen him in a number of surprising costumes.
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading THERE were three people in the kitchen, the principal living room of the Joyce home--Christopher Berry, the undertaker; Jeffy, the local outcast, a wretched ruin of a man; and Turner Joyce's wife, Ruth.
wristsnounUS /rɪsts/
plural of “wrist” — a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
From this reading His black trousers barely reached the tops of his shoes, while the sleeves of his shiny Prince Albert stopped an inch or more above his wrists; he furthermore appeared to be in imminent danger of strangulation, such was the height and tightness of his collar.
