used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Author of "Anna, the Adventuress," "A Prince of Sinners," "The Betrayal," Etc.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
Adventuressnoun
a woman adventurer
From this reading Author of "Anna, the Adventuress," "A Prince of Sinners," "The Betrayal," Etc.
(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 It was not at all an auspicious start for one who sought immortality.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was not at all an auspicious start for one who sought immortality.
AnnanounUS /ˈænə/
a former copper coin of Pakistan and India
From this reading Author of "Anna, the Adventuress," "A Prince of Sinners," "The Betrayal," Etc.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was not at all an auspicious start for one who sought immortality.
attiredadjectiveUS /əˈtaɪrd/
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
auspiciousadjectiveUS /ɑːˈspɪʃəs/
auguring favorable circumstances and good luck
From this reading It was not at all an auspicious start for one who sought immortality.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Author of "Anna, the Adventuress," "A Prince of Sinners," "The Betrayal," Etc.
BetrayalnounUS /bɪˈtreɪ.əl/
The action of betraying one's country, a group, or a person; breach of trust.
From this reading Author of "Anna, the Adventuress," "A Prince of Sinners," "The Betrayal," Etc.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
blotting-pad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
BURTnounUS /bɜːrt/
English psychologist whose studies of twins were later said to have used fabricated data (1883-1971)
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
consumedverbUS /kənˈsuːmd/
past form of “consume” — eat up completely, as with great appetite
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
defacingverbUS /dɪˈfeɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “deface” — mar or spoil the appearance of
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
dippedadjectiveUS /dɪpt/
having abnormal sagging of the spine (especially in horses)
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
disreputableadjectiveUS /dɪsˈrepjətəbəl/
lacking respectability in character or behavior or appearance
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
Etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of "Anna, the Adventuress," "A Prince of Sinners," "The Betrayal," Etc.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not at all an auspicious start for one who sought immortality.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
growlnounUS /ɡraʊl/
the sound of growling (as made by animals)
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
immortalitynounUS /ˌɪmɔːrˈtælɪti/
the quality or state of being immortal
From this reading It was not at all an auspicious start for one who sought immortality.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
industriouslyadverb
in an industrious manner
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
inknounUS /ɪŋk/
a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not at all an auspicious start for one who sought immortality.
a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
litteredadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtərd/
filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
Mabane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
manuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
marginnounUS /ˈmɑːrdʒən/
the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not at all an auspicious start for one who sought immortality.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Author of "Anna, the Adventuress," "A Prince of Sinners," "The Betrayal," Etc.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was not at all an auspicious start for one who sought immortality.
and nothing more
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
in the near future
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading Author of "Anna, the Adventuress," "A Prince of Sinners," "The Betrayal," Etc.
PublishersnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃərz/
plural of “publisher” — a firm in the publishing business
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
scrawling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
SheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
SinnersnounUS /ˈsɪnərz/
plural of “sinner” — a person who sins (without repenting)
From this reading Author of "Anna, the Adventuress," "A Prince of Sinners," "The Betrayal," Etc.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
smocknounUS /smɑːk/
a loose coverall (coat or frock) reaching down to the ankles
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
that is looked for
From this reading It was not at all an auspicious start for one who sought immortality.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It was not at all an auspicious start for one who sought immortality.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Author of "Anna, the Adventuress," "A Prince of Sinners," "The Betrayal," Etc.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Many a time I had dipped my pen in the ink, only to find myself a few minutes later scrawling ridiculous little figures upon the margin of my blotting-pad.
uselesslyadverb
in a useless manner
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
virginnounUS /ˈvɜːrdʒɪn/
a person who has never had sex
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not at all an auspicious start for one who sought immortality.
in or at the place that
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
which person or people
From this reading It was not at all an auspicious start for one who sought immortality.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There came a growl presently from the other side of the room, where Mabane, attired in a disreputable smock, with a short black pipe in the corner of his mouth, was industriously defacing a small canvas.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading _A. L. BURT COMPANY_ _Publishers New York_ Sheets of virgin manuscript paper littered my desk, the smoke of much uselessly consumed tobacco hung about the room in a little cloud.
