used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He was always pleased when one of the younger clerks bowed to him and said, "Good-day, Mr. Dolph!"
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
awhileadverbUS /əˈwaɪl/
for a short time
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
bethought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading He was always pleased when one of the younger clerks bowed to him and said, "Good-day, Mr. Dolph!"
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
an occurrence of something
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
churchyardnounUS /ˈtʃɜːrtʃjɑːrd/
the yard associated with a church
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading He was always pleased when one of the younger clerks bowed to him and said, "Good-day, Mr. Dolph!"
every day; without missing a day
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
Dolph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was always pleased when one of the younger clerks bowed to him and said, "Good-day, Mr. Dolph!"
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
let fall to the ground
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
foldnounUS /foʊld/
an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
Good-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was always pleased when one of the younger clerks bowed to him and said, "Good-day, Mr. Dolph!"
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was always pleased when one of the younger clerks bowed to him and said, "Good-day, Mr. Dolph!"
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
Jacob'snounUS /ˈdʒeɪkəbz/
possessive form of “jacob” — French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
liberaladjectiveUS /ˈlɪbɜːrəl/
showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
a form of address for a man
From this reading He was always pleased when one of the younger clerks bowed to him and said, "Good-day, Mr. Dolph!"
a condition requiring relief
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
officesnounUS /ˈɔːfəsəz/
plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was always pleased when one of the younger clerks bowed to him and said, "Good-day, Mr. Dolph!"
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
Paul'snounUS /pɔːlz/
possessive form of “paul” — United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading He was always pleased when one of the younger clerks bowed to him and said, "Good-day, Mr. Dolph!"
pretencenoun
a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
reportsnounUS /rɪˈpɔːrts/
plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He was always pleased when one of the younger clerks bowed to him and said, "Good-day, Mr. Dolph!"
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
spectaclesnounUS /ˈspektəkəlz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
strollsnounUS /stroʊlz/
plural of “stroll” — a leisurely walk (usually in some public place)
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
carry out
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
timorousadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmərəs/
timid by nature or revealing timidity
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
at the time that
From this reading He was always pleased when one of the younger clerks bowed to him and said, "Good-day, Mr. Dolph!"
in or at the place that
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He settled his life into an almost mechanical routine, of which the most active part was his daily walk down into the city.
widowhoodnoun
the time of a woman's life when she is a widow
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading He would drop into the offices of his old friends, and would read the market reports with a pretence of great interest, and then he would fold up his spectacles and put them in their worn leather case, and walk slowly out.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At first he would not go beyond St. Paul's churchyard; but after awhile he began to take timorous strolls among the old business streets where his life had been passed.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading It was in the fourth year of his widowhood that he bethought himself of young Jacob's need of a more liberal social life than he had been leading.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading He was always pleased when one of the younger clerks bowed to him and said, "Good-day, Mr. Dolph!"
