used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN WHICH MORE HATS GROW “Sit down, Tim—have a cup of coffee?”
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
blendedadjectiveUS /ˈblendɪd/
combined or mixed together so that the constituent parts are indistinguishable
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
cheeryadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪri/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Cronin had stalked into the cheery Queen quarters at an ungodly hour—disheveled, morose and unashamedly cursing.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading IN WHICH MORE HATS GROW “Sit down, Tim—have a cup of coffee?”
colorfuladjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərfəl/
having much or varied color
From this reading It was Friday morning and the Inspector and Ellery, garbed romantically in colorful dressing-gowns, were in high spirits.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
Cronin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading IN WHICH MORE HATS GROW “Sit down, Tim—have a cup of coffee?”
cursingverbUS /ˈkɜːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “curse” — utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading Cronin had stalked into the cheery Queen quarters at an ungodly hour—disheveled, morose and unashamedly cursing.
disheveledadjectiveUS /dɪˈʃevəld/
in disarray; extremely disorderly
From this reading Cronin had stalked into the cheery Queen quarters at an ungodly hour—disheveled, morose and unashamedly cursing.
Djuna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading IN WHICH MORE HATS GROW “Sit down, Tim—have a cup of coffee?”
dressing-gowns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Friday morning and the Inspector and Ellery, garbed romantically in colorful dressing-gowns, were in high spirits.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
Ellery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Friday morning and the Inspector and Ellery, garbed romantically in colorful dressing-gowns, were in high spirits.
embarrassmentnounUS /ɪmˈberəsmənt/
the shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
fire-red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
FridaynounUS /ˈfraɪdi/
the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day
From this reading It was Friday morning and the Inspector and Ellery, garbed romantically in colorful dressing-gowns, were in high spirits.
garbedadjectiveUS /ɡɑːrbd/
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading It was Friday morning and the Inspector and Ellery, garbed romantically in colorful dressing-gowns, were in high spirits.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading IN WHICH MORE HATS GROW “Sit down, Tim—have a cup of coffee?”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
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 Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
HATSnounUS /hæts/
plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading IN WHICH MORE HATS GROW “Sit down, Tim—have a cup of coffee?”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading IN WHICH MORE HATS GROW “Sit down, Tim—have a cup of coffee?”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was Friday morning and the Inspector and Ellery, garbed romantically in colorful dressing-gowns, were in high spirits.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH MORE HATS GROW “Sit down, Tim—have a cup of coffee?”
indubitablyadverb
in a manner or to a degree that could not be doubted
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading It was Friday morning and the Inspector and Ellery, garbed romantically in colorful dressing-gowns, were in high spirits.
Inspector'snounUS /ˌɪnˈspektərz/
possessive form of “inspector” — a high ranking police officer
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Cronin had stalked into the cheery Queen quarters at an ungodly hour—disheveled, morose and unashamedly cursing.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Friday morning and the Inspector and Ellery, garbed romantically in colorful dressing-gowns, were in high spirits.
and nothing more
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
keen-eyedadjective
having keen eyesight
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
mediumnounUS /ˈmiːdiəm/
a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading IN WHICH MORE HATS GROW “Sit down, Tim—have a cup of coffee?”
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was Friday morning and the Inspector and Ellery, garbed romantically in colorful dressing-gowns, were in high spirits.
moroseadjectiveUS /mərˈoʊs/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading Cronin had stalked into the cheery Queen quarters at an ungodly hour—disheveled, morose and unashamedly cursing.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN WHICH MORE HATS GROW “Sit down, Tim—have a cup of coffee?”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
plentifullyadverb
in a bountiful manner
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
potnounUS /pɑːt/
metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading Cronin had stalked into the cheery Queen quarters at an ungodly hour—disheveled, morose and unashamedly cursing.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading Cronin had stalked into the cheery Queen quarters at an ungodly hour—disheveled, morose and unashamedly cursing.
QueensnounUS /kwiːnz/
a borough of New York City
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
precisely, exactly
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
romanticallyadverbUS /roʊˈmæntɪkəli/
in a romantic manner
From this reading It was Friday morning and the Inspector and Ellery, garbed romantically in colorful dressing-gowns, were in high spirits.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
be seated
From this reading IN WHICH MORE HATS GROW “Sit down, Tim—have a cup of coffee?”
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading It was Friday morning and the Inspector and Ellery, garbed romantically in colorful dressing-gowns, were in high spirits.
stalkedadjectiveUS /stɔːkt/
having or growing on or from a peduncle or stalk
From this reading Cronin had stalked into the cheery Queen quarters at an ungodly hour—disheveled, morose and unashamedly cursing.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
thatchedverbUS /θætʃt/
past form of “thatch” — cover with thatch
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
Tim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH MORE HATS GROW “Sit down, Tim—have a cup of coffee?”
TimothynounUS /ˈtɪməθi/
grass with long cylindrical spikes grown in northern United States and Europe for hay
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
unashamedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnəˈʃeɪmədli/
without shame
From this reading Cronin had stalked into the cheery Queen quarters at an ungodly hour—disheveled, morose and unashamedly cursing.
uncommonlyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːmənli/
exceptionally
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
ungodlyadjectiveUS /ənˈɡɔːdli/
characterized by iniquity; wicked because it is believed to be a sin
From this reading Cronin had stalked into the cheery Queen quarters at an ungodly hour—disheveled, morose and unashamedly cursing.
varietynounUS /vərˈaɪəti/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Friday morning and the Inspector and Ellery, garbed romantically in colorful dressing-gowns, were in high spirits.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was Friday morning and the Inspector and Ellery, garbed romantically in colorful dressing-gowns, were in high spirits.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH MORE HATS GROW “Sit down, Tim—have a cup of coffee?”
in the company of; together with
From this reading Timothy Cronin, a keen-eyed man of medium height thatched plentifully with fire-red hair, seated himself in one of the Queens’ comfortable chairs and accepted the Inspector’s invitation in some embarrassment.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading They had retired the night before at an uncommonly early hour—for them; they had slept the sleep of the just; now Djuna had a pot of steaming coffee, of a variety which he blended himself, ready on the table; and indubitably all seemed right with the world.
