used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
assiduouslyadverbUS /əˈsɪdwəsli/
with care and persistence
From this reading The next day P. Walton worked assiduously at the office.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The next day P. Walton worked assiduously at the office.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
blurverbUS /blɜːr/
become glassy; lose clear vision
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
copiedverbUS /ˈkɑːpid/
inflected form of “copy” — copy down as is
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The next day P. Walton worked assiduously at the office.
despatcher's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
being one more than seven
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
divisible by two
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
inadvertentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnədˈvɜːrtənt/
happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
the literary culture
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
nervousnessnounUS /ˈnɜːrvəsnəs/
the anxious feeling you have when you have the jitters
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next day P. Walton worked assiduously at the office.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
not divisible by two
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The next day P. Walton worked assiduously at the office.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
and nothing more
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms
From this reading The next day P. Walton worked assiduously at the office.
plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
by chance
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
quiververbUS /ˈkwɪvər/
shake with fast, tremulous movements
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
sheafnounUS /ʃiːf/
a package of several things tied together for carrying or storing
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
do one's shopping
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
steel-plate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
super's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
telegramsnounUS /ˈteləɡræmz/
plural of “telegram” — a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next day P. Walton worked assiduously at the office.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
tissuenounUS /ˈtɪsjuː/
part of an organism consisting of an aggregate of cells having a similar structure and function
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
WaltonnounUS /ˈwɔːltən/
English composer (1902-1983)
From this reading The next day P. Walton worked assiduously at the office.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
at the time that
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
wiresnounUS /ˈwaɪərz/
plural of “wire” — ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading If excitement or nervousness in regard to the events of the night that was to come was in any wise his portion, he did not show it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was close on ten minutes after eight when he finally finished, and went into the despatcher's room with the sheaf of official telegrams to go East during the night at odd moments when the wires were light.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Only, perhaps, he worked a little more slowly--his work wasn't done when the shop whistle blew and he came back to the office after supper.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The next day P. Walton worked assiduously at the office.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading There was not a quiver in the steel-plate hand in which he wrote the super's letters, not even an inadvertent blur on the tissue pages of the book in which he copied them.
