used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading He had not for a moment accepted of Jock’s policy suggesting his lordship’s interference in the great Drumsylie case.
a cherished desire
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE KEEPER’S LETTER Old John Spence was an early riser.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
an occurrence of something
From this reading He had not for a moment accepted of Jock’s policy suggesting his lordship’s interference in the great Drumsylie case.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
deep-toned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
Drumsylie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not for a moment accepted of Jock’s policy suggesting his lordship’s interference in the great Drumsylie case.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading THE KEEPER’S LETTER Old John Spence was an early riser.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had not for a moment accepted of Jock’s policy suggesting his lordship’s interference in the great Drumsylie case.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He had not for a moment accepted of Jock’s policy suggesting his lordship’s interference in the great Drumsylie case.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
half-sleepy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
indulgingnounUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒɪŋ/
the act of indulging or gratifying a desire
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
interferencenounUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrəns/
a policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries
From this reading He had not for a moment accepted of Jock’s policy suggesting his lordship’s interference in the great Drumsylie case.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
Jock's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading THE KEEPER’S LETTER Old John Spence was an early riser.
KEEPER'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KEEPER’S LETTER Old John Spence was an early riser.
Lamb'snounUS /læmz/
possessive form of “lamb” — young sheep
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading THE KEEPER’S LETTER Old John Spence was an early riser.
lordship's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not for a moment accepted of Jock’s policy suggesting his lordship’s interference in the great Drumsylie case.
lucidadjectiveUS /ˈluːsəd/
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
meditationnounUS /ˌmedəˈteɪʃən/
continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
a particular point in time
From this reading He had not for a moment accepted of Jock’s policy suggesting his lordship’s interference in the great Drumsylie case.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE KEEPER’S LETTER Old John Spence was an early riser.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
an amount of time
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
policynounUS /ˈpɑːləsi/
a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group
From this reading He had not for a moment accepted of Jock’s policy suggesting his lordship’s interference in the great Drumsylie case.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
risernounUS /ˈraɪzər/
a person who rises (especially from bed)
From this reading THE KEEPER’S LETTER Old John Spence was an early riser.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading In a lucid interval, during the evening of Jock’s arrival, he had been considering how he might best help the Sergeant out of his difficulties.
have in common
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
siestanounUS /siˈestə/
a nap in the early afternoon (especially in hot countries)
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
Spence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KEEPER’S LETTER Old John Spence was an early riser.
suggestingverbUS /səˈdʒestɪŋ/
-ing form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading He had not for a moment accepted of Jock’s policy suggesting his lordship’s interference in the great Drumsylie case.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE KEEPER’S LETTER Old John Spence was an early riser.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
unfrequently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE KEEPER’S LETTER Old John Spence was an early riser.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The latter part of the day was to him a period of repose, a siesta of half-sleepy meditation, which not unfrequently passed into a deep-toned sleep in his arm-chair.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He did not share Charles Lamb’s fears of indulging in the ambition of rising with the sun.
