used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He had no money, and the police were after him.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had no money, and the police were after him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had played for the greater part of the stake that was at the bottom of the mystery, and he had paid the penalty.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
(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 The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading Bitterly he regretted his folly now.
the lower side of anything
From this reading He had played for the greater part of the stake that was at the bottom of the mystery, and he had paid the penalty.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
clericnounUS /ˈklerɪk/
a clergyman or other person in religious orders
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
crippleverbUS /ˈkrɪpəl/
deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading Bitterly he regretted his folly now.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading He had played for the greater part of the stake that was at the bottom of the mystery, and he had paid the penalty.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had no money, and the police were after him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had no money, and the police were after him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
measuredadjectiveUS /ˈmeʒərd/
having notes of fixed rhythmic value
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading He had no money, and the police were after him.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading He had played for the greater part of the stake that was at the bottom of the mystery, and he had paid the penalty.
not any; not one
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Bitterly he regretted his folly now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
and nothing more
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading He had played for the greater part of the stake that was at the bottom of the mystery, and he had paid the penalty.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
penaltynounUS /ˈpenəlti/
the act of punishing
From this reading He had played for the greater part of the stake that was at the bottom of the mystery, and he had paid the penalty.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading He had played for the greater part of the stake that was at the bottom of the mystery, and he had paid the penalty.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading He had no money, and the police were after him.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
regrettedverbUS /rɪˈɡretɪd/
inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading Bitterly he regretted his folly now.
Sartoris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
stakenounUS /steɪk/
(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something
From this reading He had played for the greater part of the stake that was at the bottom of the mystery, and he had paid the penalty.
express gratitude or show appreciation to
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
venerable-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
waitsnounUS /weɪts/
plural of “wait” — time during which some action is awaited
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had played for the greater part of the stake that was at the bottom of the mystery, and he had paid the penalty.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He recognised only too well that he had to thank Sartoris for this--he had measured his cunning against that of the little cripple, and he had failed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had no money, and the police were after him.
which person or people
From this reading The venerable-looking old cleric sat there for the better part of an hour in the patient attitude of one who waits for a friend, but though he puzzled his cunning brain he could see no way out of the difficulty.
