used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The whilom middle-aged, sprightly old man was as bowed and decrepit as a man of ninety.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
ANTIadjectiveUS /ˈæntiː/
not in favor of (an action or proposal etc.)
From this reading ANTI-"WE-ISM."
Archibald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The whilom middle-aged, sprightly old man was as bowed and decrepit as a man of ninety.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
Bastin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading The whilom middle-aged, sprightly old man was as bowed and decrepit as a man of ninety.
Carlyon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
CouriernounUS /ˈkɜːriər/
a person who carries a message
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
decrepitadjectiveUS /dəˈkrepɪt/
worn and broken down by hard use
From this reading The whilom middle-aged, sprightly old man was as bowed and decrepit as a man of ninety.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As he entered the editorial private room, Ralph, for one instant, did not recognize him.
editorialadjectiveUS /ˌedəˈtɔːriəl/
of or relating to an article stating opinions or giving perspectives
From this reading As he entered the editorial private room, Ralph, for one instant, did not recognize him.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading As he entered the editorial private room, Ralph, for one instant, did not recognize him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As he entered the editorial private room, Ralph, for one instant, did not recognize him.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he entered the editorial private room, Ralph, for one instant, did not recognize him.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As he entered the editorial private room, Ralph, for one instant, did not recognize him.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading As he entered the editorial private room, Ralph, for one instant, did not recognize him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
and nothing more
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The whilom middle-aged, sprightly old man was as bowed and decrepit as a man of ninety.
middle-agedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəleɪɡd/
being roughly between 45 and 65 years old
From this reading The whilom middle-aged, sprightly old man was as bowed and decrepit as a man of ninety.
ninetyadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪnti/
being ten more than eighty
From this reading The whilom middle-aged, sprightly old man was as bowed and decrepit as a man of ninety.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As he entered the editorial private room, Ralph, for one instant, did not recognize him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The whilom middle-aged, sprightly old man was as bowed and decrepit as a man of ninety.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As he entered the editorial private room, Ralph, for one instant, did not recognize him.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading As he entered the editorial private room, Ralph, for one instant, did not recognize him.
proprietornounUS /prəˈpraɪətər/
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
From this reading As he entered the editorial private room, Ralph, for one instant, did not recognize him.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading As he entered the editorial private room, Ralph, for one instant, did not recognize him.
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
solicitudenounUS /səˈlɪsɪtuːd/
a feeling of excessive concern
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
son-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
sprightlyadjectiveUS /ˈspraɪtli/
full of spirit and vitality
From this reading The whilom middle-aged, sprightly old man was as bowed and decrepit as a man of ninety.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Sir Archibald Carlyon, proprietor of the "Courier," and Ralph Bastin's employer, had just arrived at the "Courier" office.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The whilom middle-aged, sprightly old man was as bowed and decrepit as a man of ninety.
WE-ISM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANTI-"WE-ISM."
whilom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whilom middle-aged, sprightly old man was as bowed and decrepit as a man of ninety.
which person or people
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, as he realized who it was, he sprang forward with an almost son-like solicitude, and helped him to a chair.
