used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
bat-wing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
BonapartenounUS /ˈboʊnəpɑːrt/
French general who became emperor of the French (1769-1821)
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
Briggs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
derbynounUS /ˈdɜːrbi/
a felt hat that is round and hard with a narrow brim
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
emittedverbUS /ɪˈmɪtəd/
inflected form of “emit” — expel (gases or odors)
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
evidencesnounUS /ˈevədənsəz/
plural of “evidence” — your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
glaringlyadverb
in a glaring manner
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
grizzledadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪzəld/
having dark hairs mixed with grey or white
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
high-heel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
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 He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag.
NapoleonnounUS /nəˈpoʊliən/
French general who became emperor of the French (1769-1821)
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
necktienounUS /ˈnektaɪ/
neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
not any; not one
From this reading He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag.
OasisnounUS /oʊˈeɪsɪs/
a fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
odornounUS /ˈoʊdər/
any property detected by the olfactory system
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
once-white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
overallsnounUS /ˈoʊvərɔːlz/
plural of “overall” — (usually plural) work clothing consisting of denim trousers (usually with a bib and shoulder straps)
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
a full supply
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
polishnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃ/
the property of being smooth and shiny
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
resplendentadjectiveUS /riˈsplendənt/
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag.
sinkverbUS /sɪŋk/
fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
sizesnounUS /ˈsaɪzəz/
plural of “size” — the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
skinnyadjectiveUS /ˈskɪni/
being very thin
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
starchedverbUS /stɑːrtʃt/
past form of “starch” — stiffen with starch
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
tuckedadjectiveUS /tʌkt/
having tucked or being tucked
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
unmistakableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnmɪˈsteɪkəbəl/
clearly evident to the mind
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white, starched bosom shirt.
vacationnounUS /veɪˈkeɪʃən/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag.
vestverbUS /vest/
provide with power and authority
From this reading He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag.
war-bag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat, several sizes too small.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His overalls were glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted an unmistakable odor of stove polish.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night.
