used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
(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 But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
amenitiesnounUS /əˈmenətiz/
things that make you comfortable and at ease
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
on or to one side
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
Buxton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
Buxton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The next day Mr. Henry came.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
civiladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
commonlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmənli/
under normal conditions
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The next day Mr. Henry came.
disorderlyadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɔːrdərli/
undisciplined and unruly
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
Erminia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
at any time
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading The next day Mr. Henry came.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
imperfectadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɜːrfɪkt/
not perfect; defective or inadequate
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
ledgersnounUS /ˈledʒərz/
plural of “ledger” — a record in which commercial accounts are recorded
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
a unit of instruction
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The next day Mr. Henry came.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next day Mr. Henry came.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
on the contrary
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
refinementnounUS /rəˈfaɪnmənt/
a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
sanctumnounUS /ˈsæŋktəm/
a place of inviolable privacy
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
only a very short time before
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
school-boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
stern-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
tenantsnounUS /ˈtenənts/
plural of “tenant” — someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next day Mr. Henry came.
thirteennounUS /ˈθɜːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mr. Buxton himself felt more like a school-boy, bringing up an imperfect lesson, than he had ever done since he was thirteen.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
at the time that
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
in or at the place that
From this reading But all the amenities of life were put aside when he entered Mr. Buxton's sanctum--his "office," as he called the room where he received his tenants and business people.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Frank thought Mr. Henry was scarce commonly civil in the open evidence of his surprise and contempt for the habits, of which the disorderly books and ledgers were but too visible signs.
which person or people
From this reading He was a quiet, stern-looking man, of considerable intelligence and refinement, and so much taste for music as to charm Erminia, who had rather dreaded his visit.
