used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
(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 The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading In the end he chose a black one on the ground that it would be more modest, although he was not sure that it was right.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When at last he was complete in every detail, he returned to the sitting-room where his wife still was.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
boiledadjectiveUS /bɔɪld/
cooked in hot water
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading In the end he chose a black one on the ground that it would be more modest, although he was not sure that it was right.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No man could have undertaken it in a worse state of despair.
cuffsnounUS /kʌfs/
plural of “cuff” — the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading No man could have undertaken it in a worse state of despair.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading When at last he was complete in every detail, he returned to the sitting-room where his wife still was.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
DISINTEGRATIONnounUS /dɪˌsɪntəˈɡreɪʃən/
in a decomposed state
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading In the end he chose a black one on the ground that it would be more modest, although he was not sure that it was right.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading When at last he was complete in every detail, he returned to the sitting-room where his wife still was.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading In the end he chose a black one on the ground that it would be more modest, although he was not sure that it was right.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
Harper'snounUS /ˈhɑːrpərz/
possessive form of “harper” — someone who plays the harp
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading No man could have undertaken it in a worse state of despair.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When at last he was complete in every detail, he returned to the sitting-room where his wife still was.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No man could have undertaken it in a worse state of despair.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading No man could have undertaken it in a worse state of despair.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
immediately past
From this reading When at last he was complete in every detail, he returned to the sitting-room where his wife still was.
linksnounUS /lɪŋks/
a golf course that is built on sandy ground near a shore
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
majoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading No man could have undertaken it in a worse state of despair.
modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading In the end he chose a black one on the ground that it would be more modest, although he was not sure that it was right.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In the end he chose a black one on the ground that it would be more modest, although he was not sure that it was right.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
not any; not one
From this reading No man could have undertaken it in a worse state of despair.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the end he chose a black one on the ground that it would be more modest, although he was not sure that it was right.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
and nothing more
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
operationsnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz/
financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
persuadedverbUS /pərˈsweɪdɪd/
past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
processverbUS /ˈprɑːses/
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When at last he was complete in every detail, he returned to the sitting-room where his wife still was.
precisely, exactly
From this reading In the end he chose a black one on the ground that it would be more modest, although he was not sure that it was right.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When at last he was complete in every detail, he returned to the sitting-room where his wife still was.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading No man could have undertaken it in a worse state of despair.
not in physical motion
From this reading When at last he was complete in every detail, he returned to the sitting-room where his wife still was.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading In the end he chose a black one on the ground that it would be more modest, although he was not sure that it was right.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the end he chose a black one on the ground that it would be more modest, although he was not sure that it was right.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
tienounUS /taɪ/
neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
a source of difficulty
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
undertakenverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪkən/
inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading No man could have undertaken it in a worse state of despair.
precisely as stated
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading DISINTEGRATION I The process of dressing for Henry Harper's first dinner party was not a very agreeable operation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
at the time that
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
in or at the place that
From this reading When at last he was complete in every detail, he returned to the sitting-room where his wife still was.
a Caucasian
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading When at last he was complete in every detail, he returned to the sitting-room where his wife still was.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The new links he had bought could only be persuaded with difficulty into the cuffs of the boiled shirt; further trouble presented itself with the collar, and finally, when all the major operations were complete, he had to solve the problem of a white tie or a black one.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading No man could have undertaken it in a worse state of despair.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In the end he chose a black one on the ground that it would be more modest, although he was not sure that it was right.
