used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Drexley had always had faith in his friend.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
dimly-lit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
DouglasnounUS /ˈdʌɡləs/
United States politician who proposed that individual territories be allowed to decide whether they would have slavery; he engaged in a famous series of debates with Abraham Lincoln (1813-1861)
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
Drexley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
divisible by two
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading Drexley had always had faith in his friend.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Drexley had always had faith in his friend.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Drexley had always had faith in his friend.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
participate in games or sport
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
rehearsalnounUS /rɪˈhɜːrsəl/
a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert)
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
squaresnounUS /skwerz/
plural of “square” — (geometry) a plane rectangle with four equal sides and four right angles; a four-sided regular polygon
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
stuffyadjectiveUS /ˈstʌfi/
lacking fresh air
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
sunlitadjectiveUS /ˈsʌnlɪt/
lighted by sunlight
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
carry out
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
uniqueadjectiveUS /juːˈniːk/
radically distinctive and without equal
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
volubleadjectiveUS /ˈvɑːljəbəl/
marked by a ready flow of speech
From this reading A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN They passed out from the stuffy atmosphere of the dimly-lit theatre to the sunlit squares and streets, Drexley and Douglas arm in arm, the former voluble, Douglas curiously silent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For it had been an afternoon of events, the final rehearsal of a play of which great things were expected, and which was to take London by storm.
wittyadjectiveUS /ˈwɪti/
combining clever conception and facetious expression
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But even Drexley had never believed him capable of such work as this.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading He believed him to be a clever, even a brilliant, writer--witty, original, unique in his own vivid and picturesque style.
