used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
on or to one side
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
the two together, not just one
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Dr. Priestley was thus engaged when the door opened and his secretary, Harold Merefield, came into the room.
Copperdock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Dr. Priestley was thus engaged when the door opened and his secretary, Harold Merefield, came into the room.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
eccentricadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsentrɪk/
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
to come or go into
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
divisible by two
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
depressingly dark
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
Harold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Priestley was thus engaged when the door opened and his secretary, Harold Merefield, came into the room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
heavinessnoun
the property of being comparatively great in weight
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Dr. Priestley was thus engaged when the door opened and his secretary, Harold Merefield, came into the room.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
lendingnounUS /ˈlendɪŋ/
disposing of money or property with the expectation that the same thing (or an equivalent) will be returned
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
provided with artificial light
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
the force of workers available
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
Merefield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Priestley was thus engaged when the door opened and his secretary, Harold Merefield, came into the room.
MondaynounUS /ˈmʌndi/
the second day of the week; the first working day
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Dr. Priestley was thus engaged when the door opened and his secretary, Harold Merefield, came into the room.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
PriestleynounUS /ˈpriːstli/
English chemist who isolated many gases and discovered oxygen (independently of Scheele) (1733-1804)
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
radiancenounUS /ˈreɪdiːəns/
the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
on the contrary
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
scientistnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪst/
a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading Dr. Priestley was thus engaged when the door opened and his secretary, Harold Merefield, came into the room.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
sortingnounUS /ˈsɔːrtɪŋ/
an operation that segregates items into groups according to a specified criterion
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
the season of growth
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
not in physical motion
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
TerracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Dr. Priestley was thus engaged when the door opened and his secretary, Harold Merefield, came into the room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
having come into contact
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
untidy-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Enter Dr. Priestley That eccentric scientist, Dr. Priestley, sat in his study on the Monday morning following the death of Mr. Copperdock, busily engaged in sorting out a mass of untidy-looking papers.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dr. Priestley was thus engaged when the door opened and his secretary, Harold Merefield, came into the room.
waste-paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of them he tore up and placed in the waste-paper basket by his side; a few he glanced at and put aside.
Westbourne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
at the time that
From this reading Dr. Priestley was thus engaged when the door opened and his secretary, Harold Merefield, came into the room.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The April sun lit up the room with a pale radiance, lending an air of Spring even to this dignified but rather gloomy house in Westbourne Terrace.
but in spite of that
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading There was an air of heaviness about both men, the old and the young, as though the Spring had not yet touched them, and Winter held them still in its grip.
