used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RAILWAY CARRIAGE--SURREY--SUSSEX I left London as quickly as possible.
how long something has existed
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Well, I never did, and how are you, Harry?”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A RAILWAY CARRIAGE--SURREY--SUSSEX I left London as quickly as possible.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
betrayingverbUS /bɪˈtreɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading A RAILWAY CARRIAGE--SURREY--SUSSEX I left London as quickly as possible.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “Well, I never did, and how are you, Harry?”
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
emanating from God
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
earnedadjectiveUS /ɜːrnd/
gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
grizzledadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪzəld/
having dark hairs mixed with grey or white
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading “Well, I never did, and how are you, Harry?”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
helmetnounUS /ˈhelmət/
armor plate that protects the head
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
hero'snounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/
possessive form of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, I never did, and how are you, Harry?”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A RAILWAY CARRIAGE--SURREY--SUSSEX I left London as quickly as possible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
kind-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
the sound of laughing
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading A RAILWAY CARRIAGE--SURREY--SUSSEX I left London as quickly as possible.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading A RAILWAY CARRIAGE--SURREY--SUSSEX I left London as quickly as possible.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
the force of workers available
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
mouldverbUS /moʊld/
form in clay, wax, etc
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading “Well, I never did, and how are you, Harry?”
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
by chance
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
ponderousadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːndərəs/
slow and laborious because of weight
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading A RAILWAY CARRIAGE--SURREY--SUSSEX I left London as quickly as possible.
printernounUS /ˈprɪntər/
someone whose occupation is printing
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
with speed
From this reading A RAILWAY CARRIAGE--SURREY--SUSSEX I left London as quickly as possible.
RAILWAYnounUS /ˈreɪlweɪ/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading A RAILWAY CARRIAGE--SURREY--SUSSEX I left London as quickly as possible.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
spectacledadjective
wearing, or having the face adorned with, eyeglasses or an eyeglass
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
storeys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
street-corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
SURREYnounUS /ˈsɜːri/
a county in southeastern England on the Thames
From this reading A RAILWAY CARRIAGE--SURREY--SUSSEX I left London as quickly as possible.
SUSSEXnounUS /ˈsʌsɪks/
a county in southern England on the English Channel; formerly an Anglo-Saxon kingdom that was captured by Wessex in the 9th century
From this reading A RAILWAY CARRIAGE--SURREY--SUSSEX I left London as quickly as possible.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
unknowableadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊəbəl/
not knowable
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
(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 “Well, I never did, and how are you, Harry?”
at the time that
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
which person or people
From this reading As he sat down he recognized a sailor, a tall, ponderous, kind-faced man made in three distinct storeys, who supported his enormous red hands upon knees each fit to have been the mould of a hero’s helmet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The railway carriage was nearly full of men reading the same newspapers under three or four different names, when a little grizzled and spectacled man of middle age entered--a printer, perhaps--with a twisted face and simple and puzzled expression that probably earned him many a laugh from street-corner boys.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading They looked at one another kindly but with a question piercing through the kindness and an effort to divine the unknowable without betraying curiosity.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Well, I never did, and how are you, Harry?”
