used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
ABOUTprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
adjoiningverbUS /əˈdʒɔɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjoin” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
bankernounUS /ˈbæŋkər/
a financier who owns or is an executive in a bank
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
bulkyadjectiveUS /ˈbʌlki/
of large size for its weight
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “I don't know, sir; it came just now,” and Toby silently withdrew.
carewornadjective
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
clickingverbUS /ˈklɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “click” — move or strike with a noise
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
counting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
deadenedadjective
devoid of physical sensation; numb
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don't know, sir; it came just now,” and Toby silently withdrew.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
at any time
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
give expression to
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
foregoingadjectiveUS /fɔːrˈɡoʊɪŋ/
especially of writing or speech; going before
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
happeningsnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋz/
plural of “happening” — an event that happens
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I don't know, sir; it came just now,” and Toby silently withdrew.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
and nothing more
From this reading “I don't know, sir; it came just now,” and Toby silently withdrew.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “I don't know, sir; it came just now,” and Toby silently withdrew.
set down according to a plan
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
Lassiter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
machine-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
noiselessadjective
making no sound
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
paper-knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
partitionnounUS /pɑːrˈtɪʃən/
a vertical structure that divides or separates (as a wall divides one room from another)
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
recordedadjectiveUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪd/
set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
sealsnounUS /siːlz/
plural of “seal” — fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
without speaking
From this reading “I don't know, sir; it came just now,” and Toby silently withdrew.
SimonnounUS /ˈsaɪmən/
one of the twelve Apostles (first century)
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
term of address for a man
From this reading “I don't know, sir; it came just now,” and Toby silently withdrew.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
TobynounUS /ˈtoʊbi/
a drinking mug in the shape of a stout man wearing a three-cornered hat
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
typewriternounUS /ˈtaɪpraɪtər/
hand-operated character printer for printing written messages one character at a time
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
WaltonnounUS /ˈwɔːltən/
English composer (1902-1983)
From this reading |ABOUT ten days after the happenings recorded in the foregoing chapter old Simon Walton sat alone in his office.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
waxverbUS /wæks/
cover with wax
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What is this?” the banker asked, as he examined the heavy wax seals and reached for his paper-knife.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A typewriter was clicking in the counting-room adjoining, its sound deadened by the closed door and thin partition through which it passed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With noiseless tread Toby Lassiter, now older, more careworn, more machine-like than ever, entered and laid a bulky express envelope before his employer.
withdrewverbUS /wɪθˈdruː/
inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading “I don't know, sir; it came just now,” and Toby silently withdrew.
