used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
matters of personal concern
From this reading BUSINESS AFFAIRS An astonished silence ensued.
aggressivelyadverbUS /əˈɡresɪvli/
in an aggressive manner
From this reading Barras was not popular with his fellows, but he had the name of an extremely honest man, and was supposed to be aggressively just.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading BUSINESS AFFAIRS An astonished silence ensued.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading BUSINESS AFFAIRS An astonished silence ensued.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
Barras
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Barras was not popular with his fellows, but he had the name of an extremely honest man, and was supposed to be aggressively just.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading BUSINESS AFFAIRS An astonished silence ensued.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Barras was not popular with his fellows, but he had the name of an extremely honest man, and was supposed to be aggressively just.
clean-shavenadjective
closely shaved recently
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
criminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
douradjectiveUS /ˈdaʊər/
stubbornly unyielding
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
ensuedverbUS /ɪnˈsuːd/
past form of “ensue” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
From this reading BUSINESS AFFAIRS An astonished silence ensued.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Barras was not popular with his fellows, but he had the name of an extremely honest man, and was supposed to be aggressively just.
eyebrowsnounUS /ˈaɪbraʊz/
plural of “eyebrow” — the arch of hair above each eye
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading Barras was not popular with his fellows, but he had the name of an extremely honest man, and was supposed to be aggressively just.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
gallowsnounUS /ˈɡæloʊz/
an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Barras was not popular with his fellows, but he had the name of an extremely honest man, and was supposed to be aggressively just.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading Barras was not popular with his fellows, but he had the name of an extremely honest man, and was supposed to be aggressively just.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
iron-greynoun
the color of freshly broken cast iron
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
and nothing more
From this reading Barras was not popular with his fellows, but he had the name of an extremely honest man, and was supposed to be aggressively just.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
lawyer'snounUS /ˈlɔːjərz/
possessive form of “lawyer” — a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
lean-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Barras was not popular with his fellows, but he had the name of an extremely honest man, and was supposed to be aggressively just.
not any; not one
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
From this reading Barras was not popular with his fellows, but he had the name of an extremely honest man, and was supposed to be aggressively just.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
lacking in magnitude or quantity
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
sentencingverbUS /ˈsentənsɪŋ/
-ing form of “sentence” — pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
shaggyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæɡi/
used of hair; thick and poorly groomed
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading BUSINESS AFFAIRS An astonished silence ensued.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
sternlyadverbUS /ˈstɜːrnli/
with sternness; in a severe manner
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
required or under orders
From this reading Barras was not popular with his fellows, but he had the name of an extremely honest man, and was supposed to be aggressively just.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
thin-lipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
precisely as stated
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The lawyer's observation was so very unexpected, that no one knew exactly how to reply.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Barras did not look like a man inclined to jest, being lean-faced, dour, and clean-shaven, with a thin-lipped mouth, and scanty iron-grey hair.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading His severe black eyes peered sternly at the world from under shaggy grey eyebrows, and he constantly appeared to hold the attitude of a hanging judge, sentencing a criminal to the gallows.
