used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
(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 "Yes," Jill answered, and that was all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Yes," Jill answered, and that was all.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "Yes," Jill answered, and that was all.
any person at all
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
any thing at all
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading "My son--h'm!-- studies art here."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
bombnounUS /bɑːm/
an explosive device fused to explode under specific conditions
From this reading "My name is St. John," he said--the bomb had fallen.
carefully weighed
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
accept an excuse for
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading "My name is St. John," he said--the bomb had fallen.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt irritated with her that she was so quiet, so reserved, and so thoroughly self-possessed.
h'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My son--h'm!-- studies art here."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "My name is St. John," he said--the bomb had fallen.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "My name is St. John," he said--the bomb had fallen.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He felt irritated with her that she was so quiet, so reserved, and so thoroughly self-possessed.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "My son--h'm!-- studies art here."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
irritatedadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtəd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading He felt irritated with her that she was so quiet, so reserved, and so thoroughly self-possessed.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "My name is St. John," he said--the bomb had fallen.
Jill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes," Jill answered, and that was all.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading "My name is St. John," he said--the bomb had fallen.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
and nothing more
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My name is St. John," he said--the bomb had fallen.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "My name is St. John," he said--the bomb had fallen.
not any; not one
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
plausibleadjectiveUS /ˈplɔːzəbəl/
apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading He felt irritated with her that she was so quiet, so reserved, and so thoroughly self-possessed.
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading He felt irritated with her that she was so quiet, so reserved, and so thoroughly self-possessed.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "My name is St. John," he said--the bomb had fallen.
self-possessedadjective
in full control of your faculties
From this reading He felt irritated with her that she was so quiet, so reserved, and so thoroughly self-possessed.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He felt irritated with her that she was so quiet, so reserved, and so thoroughly self-possessed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
a male human offspring
From this reading "My son--h'm!-- studies art here."
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is St. John," he said--the bomb had fallen.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading "My son--h'm!-- studies art here."
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
superciliouslyadverb
with a sneer; in an uncomplimentary sneering manner
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "My name is St. John," he said--the bomb had fallen.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading He felt irritated with her that she was so quiet, so reserved, and so thoroughly self-possessed.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Yes," Jill answered, and that was all.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He felt irritated with her that she was so quiet, so reserved, and so thoroughly self-possessed.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading He looked round superciliously as though he wondered how anyone could study anything in so mean a place; no doubt he considered that his son's explanation had been merely a plausible excuse.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes," Jill answered, and that was all.
