used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading "I was down near the breakwater yesterday evening, setting some eel-lines in the canal, when he arrived," commenced the innkeeper.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Where shall I begin?" he asked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Where shall I begin?" he asked.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
bird'snounUS /bɜːrdz/
possessive form of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
breakwaternounUS /ˈbreɪkwɔːtər/
a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
From this reading "I was down near the breakwater yesterday evening, setting some eel-lines in the canal, when he arrived," commenced the innkeeper.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
canalnounUS /kəˈnæl/
(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
From this reading "I was down near the breakwater yesterday evening, setting some eel-lines in the canal, when he arrived," commenced the innkeeper.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
a person who is in charge
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
claw-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
commencedverbUS /kəˈmenst/
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "I was down near the breakwater yesterday evening, setting some eel-lines in the canal, when he arrived," commenced the innkeeper.
constablenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəbəl/
a lawman with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
eel-lines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I was down near the breakwater yesterday evening, setting some eel-lines in the canal, when he arrived," commenced the innkeeper.
equivocationnounUS /ɪkwɪvəˈkeɪʃən/
a statement that is not literally false but that cleverly avoids an unpleasant truth
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading "I was down near the breakwater yesterday evening, setting some eel-lines in the canal, when he arrived," commenced the innkeeper.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
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 He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Where shall I begin?" he asked.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
innkeepernounUS /ˈɪnkiːpər/
the owner or manager of an inn
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
iron-greynoun
the color of freshly broken cast iron
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
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 innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading "I was down near the breakwater yesterday evening, setting some eel-lines in the canal, when he arrived," commenced the innkeeper.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
a human being
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
Ronald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading "I was down near the breakwater yesterday evening, setting some eel-lines in the canal, when he arrived," commenced the innkeeper.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "Where shall I begin?" he asked.
smoothedadjectiveUS /smuːðd/
made smooth by ironing
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "I was down near the breakwater yesterday evening, setting some eel-lines in the canal, when he arrived," commenced the innkeeper.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
subsequentadjectiveUS /ˈsʌbsəkwənt/
following in time or order
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
carry out
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
express in words
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
thatchnounUS /θætʃ/
hair resembling thatched roofing material
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
migratory
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
at the time that
From this reading "I was down near the breakwater yesterday evening, setting some eel-lines in the canal, when he arrived," commenced the innkeeper.
in or at the place that
From this reading "Where shall I begin?" he asked.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He took a chair at the table, his bright bird's glance wandering from one to the other of the faces opposite him as he smoothed with one claw-like hand the thatch of iron-grey hair which hung down over his forehead almost to his eyes.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The innkeeper answered the bell in person, and was ordered by the chief constable to take a seat and tell everything he knew about the previous night's events, without equivocation or reserve.
the day immediately before today
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You had better start by telling us how this young man Ronald came to your house yesterday afternoon, and then give us an account of the subsequent events, so far as you know them," said the chief constable.
