used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
ACQUAINTANCESnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
how long something has existed
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
(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 None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading Trousers of dark-blue cloth reached to the knee, and his riding-boots, with spurs, completed the wonderfully made toilet.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Trousers of dark-blue cloth reached to the knee, and his riding-boots, with spurs, completed the wonderfully made toilet.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
dark-blueadjective
of a dark shade of blue
From this reading Trousers of dark-blue cloth reached to the knee, and his riding-boots, with spurs, completed the wonderfully made toilet.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading The man's face had a disagreeable expression.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
the act of consuming food
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading The man's face had a disagreeable expression.
opinion or judgment
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The man's face had a disagreeable expression.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
furnounUS /fɜːr/
the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The man's face had a disagreeable expression.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Trousers of dark-blue cloth reached to the knee, and his riding-boots, with spurs, completed the wonderfully made toilet.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Trousers of dark-blue cloth reached to the knee, and his riding-boots, with spurs, completed the wonderfully made toilet.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Trousers of dark-blue cloth reached to the knee, and his riding-boots, with spurs, completed the wonderfully made toilet.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man's face had a disagreeable expression.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
not one, and not any
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
overcoatnounUS /ˈoʊvərkoʊt/
a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Trousers of dark-blue cloth reached to the knee, and his riding-boots, with spurs, completed the wonderfully made toilet.
riding-boots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trousers of dark-blue cloth reached to the knee, and his riding-boots, with spurs, completed the wonderfully made toilet.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
sky-bluenoun
a light shade of blue
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
with low volume
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
spursnounUS /spɜːrz/
plural of “spur” — a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
From this reading Trousers of dark-blue cloth reached to the knee, and his riding-boots, with spurs, completed the wonderfully made toilet.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
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 man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Trousers of dark-blue cloth reached to the knee, and his riding-boots, with spurs, completed the wonderfully made toilet.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
trimmedadjectiveUS /trɪmd/
made neat and tidy by trimming
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
TrousersnounUS /ˈtraʊzərz/
(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately
From this reading Trousers of dark-blue cloth reached to the knee, and his riding-boots, with spurs, completed the wonderfully made toilet.
precisely as stated
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
vestverbUS /vest/
provide with power and authority
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading OLD AND NEW ACQUAINTANCES While the hungry guests were eating, the door at the back of the large dining-room was very softly opened.
belonging to which person
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading Trousers of dark-blue cloth reached to the knee, and his riding-boots, with spurs, completed the wonderfully made toilet.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
a late time of life
From this reading None of the strangers observed this, but the host, whose eyes were all over, went toward the door, at the threshold of which stood a man about forty years of age.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The man was small and lean, and wore a brown overcoat trimmed with fur; the coat was cut out at the bosom and allowed a yellow vest and sky-blue tie to be seen.
