used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
abreastadjectiveUS /əˈbrest/
being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
accomplishmentnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading Humanity is interested in achievement, but not in the manner of its accomplishment.
achievementnounUS /əˈtʃiːvmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading Humanity is interested in achievement, but not in the manner of its accomplishment.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An hour passed, but Robert Turold kept steadily on.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading His hearers displayed symptoms of boredom like people detained in church beyond the usual time.
boredomnounUS /ˈbɔːrdəm/
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
From this reading His hearers displayed symptoms of boredom like people detained in church beyond the usual time.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading His hearers displayed symptoms of boredom like people detained in church beyond the usual time.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
commencedverbUS /kəˈmenst/
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
detainedverbUS /dɪˈteɪnd/
past form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading His hearers displayed symptoms of boredom like people detained in church beyond the usual time.
characterized by great determination
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/
past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent
From this reading His hearers displayed symptoms of boredom like people detained in church beyond the usual time.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
hearersnounUS /ˈhiːrərz/
plural of “hearer” — someone who listens attentively
From this reading His hearers displayed symptoms of boredom like people detained in church beyond the usual time.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading An hour passed, but Robert Turold kept steadily on.
the quality of being humane
From this reading Humanity is interested in achievement, but not in the manner of its accomplishment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His hearers displayed symptoms of boredom like people detained in church beyond the usual time.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Humanity is interested in achievement, but not in the manner of its accomplishment.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Humanity is interested in achievement, but not in the manner of its accomplishment.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Humanity is interested in achievement, but not in the manner of its accomplishment.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading An hour passed, but Robert Turold kept steadily on.
life'snounUS /laɪfs/
possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading His hearers displayed symptoms of boredom like people detained in church beyond the usual time.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Humanity is interested in achievement, but not in the manner of its accomplishment.
mantelpiecenoun
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
parchments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading An hour passed, but Robert Turold kept steadily on.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading His hearers displayed symptoms of boredom like people detained in church beyond the usual time.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading An hour passed, but Robert Turold kept steadily on.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
symptomsnounUS /ˈsɪmptəmz/
plural of “symptom” — (medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease
From this reading His hearers displayed symptoms of boredom like people detained in church beyond the usual time.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading His hearers displayed symptoms of boredom like people detained in church beyond the usual time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
Turold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The long hand of the mantelpiece clock slipped with a stealthy movement past the twelve as he commenced, as though determined not to be taken by surprise, but to keep abreast of him.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading His hearers displayed symptoms of boredom like people detained in church beyond the usual time.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With parchments and papers deep on the table before him, Robert Turold plunged into the history of his life's task.
