used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading “That's a bit of a platitude, isn't it?” he suggested.
Bryce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “I set store by platitudes, sir,” retorted Harker.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading “Of course we shall know a lot more--when we do know a lot more!”
derivingnounUS /dərˈaɪvɪŋ/
(historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Of course we shall know a lot more--when we do know a lot more!”
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading “You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.
hallmarknounUS /ˈhɑːlmɑːrk/
a distinctive characteristic or attribute
From this reading “You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.
Harker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I set store by platitudes, sir,” retorted Harker.
Harker's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “That's a bit of a platitude, isn't it?” he suggested.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I set store by platitudes, sir,” retorted Harker.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That's a bit of a platitude, isn't it?” he suggested.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “That's a bit of a platitude, isn't it?” he suggested.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “Of course we shall know a lot more--when we do know a lot more!”
immediately past
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading “Of course we shall know a lot more--when we do know a lot more!”
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “Of course we shall know a lot more--when we do know a lot more!”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “That's a bit of a platitude, isn't it?” he suggested.
many times at short intervals
From this reading “You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
platitudenounUS /ˈplætɪtuːd/
a trite or obvious remark
From this reading “That's a bit of a platitude, isn't it?” he suggested.
platitudesnounUS /ˈplætɪtuːdz/
plural of “platitude” — a trite or obvious remark
From this reading “I set store by platitudes, sir,” retorted Harker.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
to say, state, or perform again
From this reading “You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.
past form of “retort” — answer back
From this reading “I set store by platitudes, sir,” retorted Harker.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading “I set store by platitudes, sir,” retorted Harker.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “Of course we shall know a lot more--when we do know a lot more!”
term of address for a man
From this reading “I set store by platitudes, sir,” retorted Harker.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading “I set store by platitudes, sir,” retorted Harker.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading “That's a bit of a platitude, isn't it?” he suggested.
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That's a bit of a platitude, isn't it?” he suggested.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.
the act of using
From this reading “You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Of course we shall know a lot more--when we do know a lot more!”
at the time that
From this reading “Of course we shall know a lot more--when we do know a lot more!”
which person or people
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Bryce, who was deriving a considerable and peculiar pleasure from his secret interview with the old detective, smiled at Harker's last remark.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You can't repeat an established platitude too often--it's got the hallmark of good use on it.
