used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What a clock should be doing in this Eastern room, the visitors could not make out.
Burghnoun
a borough in Scotland
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
Chinamannoun
(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What a clock should be doing in this Eastern room, the visitors could not make out.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading What a clock should be doing in this Eastern room, the visitors could not make out.
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading What a clock should be doing in this Eastern room, the visitors could not make out.
being one more than ten
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
FANverbUS /fæn/
strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
a long fixed look
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
greetverbUS /ɡriːt/
express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
Hwei
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there it was, and there was Hwei staring at it.
impassiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpæsɪv/
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to be out of place.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
engage in
From this reading What a clock should be doing in this Eastern room, the visitors could not make out.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
one-eyedadjectiveUS /ˌwʌˈnaɪd/
having or showing only one eye
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
in other respects or ways
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading What a clock should be doing in this Eastern room, the visitors could not make out.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It seemed to be out of place.
having a point
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading What a clock should be doing in this Eastern room, the visitors could not make out.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to be out of place.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading What a clock should be doing in this Eastern room, the visitors could not make out.
and nothing more
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Yet there it was, and there was Hwei staring at it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Yet there it was, and there was Hwei staring at it.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading What a clock should be doing in this Eastern room, the visitors could not make out.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading What a clock should be doing in this Eastern room, the visitors could not make out.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yet there it was, and there was Hwei staring at it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE FAN MYSTERY The one-eyed Chinaman did not smile, nor did he greet Burgh in any way, friendly or otherwise.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What a clock should be doing in this Eastern room, the visitors could not make out.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He simply looked at the two, with an impassive gaze and then glanced at a clock, the hands of which pointed to thirty minutes past eleven.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet there it was, and there was Hwei staring at it.
