used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading There was absolutely nothing further to be seen in the vault, so Berrington climbed thoughtfully out of it again.
anew
From this reading There was absolutely nothing further to be seen in the vault, so Berrington climbed thoughtfully out of it again.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
from appearances alone
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
Berrington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading There was absolutely nothing further to be seen in the vault, so Berrington climbed thoughtfully out of it again.
cluenounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
the specified day of the month
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
the act of discovering something
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
fastidiousadjectiveUS /fæˈstɪdiəs/
giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading He readjusted the floor, for he had no wish for his handiwork to remain.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
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 There was absolutely nothing further to be seen in the vault, so Berrington climbed thoughtfully out of it again.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
handiworknounUS /ˈhændiwɜːrk/
a work produced by hand labor
From this reading He readjusted the floor, for he had no wish for his handiwork to remain.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He readjusted the floor, for he had no wish for his handiwork to remain.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
of great significance or value
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was absolutely nothing further to be seen in the vault, so Berrington climbed thoughtfully out of it again.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
laundrynounUS /ˈlɔːndri/
garments or white goods that can be cleaned by laundering
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
something that is lost
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
not any; not one
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was absolutely nothing further to be seen in the vault, so Berrington climbed thoughtfully out of it again.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
on one occasion
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
and nothing more
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading There was absolutely nothing further to be seen in the vault, so Berrington climbed thoughtfully out of it again.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
readjustedverbUS /ˌriːəˈdʒʌstɪd/
past form of “readjust” — adjust anew
From this reading He readjusted the floor, for he had no wish for his handiwork to remain.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading He readjusted the floor, for he had no wish for his handiwork to remain.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading There was absolutely nothing further to be seen in the vault, so Berrington climbed thoughtfully out of it again.
term of address for a man
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was absolutely nothing further to be seen in the vault, so Berrington climbed thoughtfully out of it again.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
thoughtfullyadverbUS /ˈθɔːtfəli/
in a thoughtful manner
From this reading There was absolutely nothing further to be seen in the vault, so Berrington climbed thoughtfully out of it again.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
vaultnounUS /vɒlt/
An arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling, or a secure subterranean storage room.
From this reading There was absolutely nothing further to be seen in the vault, so Berrington climbed thoughtfully out of it again.
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading It might prove to be an important clue, on the other hand it might point to more violence than Berrington had anticipated.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Berrington was at a loss to know whether to be pleased or not at his discovery.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading He readjusted the floor, for he had no wish for his handiwork to remain.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was not an old collar, as Berrington could see by the date of it; apparently it had only been worn once, for there was no laundry mark upon it, though it was dirty, more dirty than a fastidious man like Sir Charles would have used.
