adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
Anglomanianoun
an excessive enthusiasm for all things English
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/
eagerly desirous
From this reading The room was not like him, being cheerful and hideous, whereas Mr. Vertrees was anxious and decorative.
approachingnounUS /əˈproʊtʃɪŋ/
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The room was not like him, being cheerful and hideous, whereas Mr. Vertrees was anxious and decorative.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
buttonnounUS /ˈbʌtən/
a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
cheerfuladjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪrfəl/
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading The room was not like him, being cheerful and hideous, whereas Mr. Vertrees was anxious and decorative.
clothesnounUS /kloʊðz/
clothing in general
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
coatnounUS /koʊt/
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
colornounUS /ˈkʌlər/
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
dandynounUS /ˈdændi/
a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
decorativeadjectiveUS /ˈdekrətɪv/
serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose
From this reading The room was not like him, being cheerful and hideous, whereas Mr. Vertrees was anxious and decorative.
departurenounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtʃər/
the act of departing
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
descendantnounUS /dɪˈsendənt/
a person considered as descended from some ancestor
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
dryadjectiveUS /draɪ/
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
equallyadverbUS /ˈiːkwəli/
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
expeditionnounUS /ˌekspəˈdɪʃən/
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
eye-glasses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
flavornounUS /ˈfleɪvər/
the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
flecknounUS /flek/
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
graynounUS /ɡreɪ/
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
hairnounUS /her/
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
hazardnounUS /ˈhæzərd/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
hideousadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdiəs/
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
From this reading The room was not like him, being cheerful and hideous, whereas Mr. Vertrees was anxious and decorative.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
jauntyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔːnti/
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
labelingverbUS /ˈleɪbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “label” — assign a label to; designate with a label
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
lambrequinnoun
a scarf that covers a knight's helmet
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
lapelnounUS /ləˈpel/
lap at the front of a coat; continuation of the coat collar
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
librarynounUS /ˈlaɪbreriː/
a room where books are kept
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
modenounUS /moʊd/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
mustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The room was not like him, being cheerful and hideous, whereas Mr. Vertrees was anxious and decorative.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
pacenounUS /peɪs/
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
patriotnounUS /ˈpeɪtriət/
one who loves and defends his or her country
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
pendingadjectiveUS /ˈpendɪŋ/
awaiting conclusion or confirmation
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
pocketnounUS /ˈpɑːkət/
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
profoundlyadverbUS /proʊˈfaʊndli/
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
relicnounUS /ˈrelɪk/
an antiquity that has survived from the distant past
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The room was not like him, being cheerful and hideous, whereas Mr. Vertrees was anxious and decorative.
shapelinessnoun
the quality of having a well-rounded body
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
sixtyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪksti/
being ten more than fifty
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
sketchnounUS /sketʃ/
preliminary drawing for later elaboration
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
smoothadjectiveUS /smuːð/
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
spatsnounUS /spæts/
plural of “spat” — a quarrel about petty points
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
sprucenessnoun
the state of being neat and smart and trim
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
thoughtfullyadverbUS /ˈθɔːtfəli/
in a thoughtful manner
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
touchesnounUS /ˈtʌtʃəz/
plural of “touch” — the event of something coming in contact with the body
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
Vertrees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
waistcoatnoun
a man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
warriorsnounUS /ˈwɔːriərz/
plural of “warrior” — someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading And for greater spruceness there were some jaunty touches; gray spats, a narrow black ribbon across the gray waistcoat to the eye-glasses in a pocket, a fleck of color from a button in the lapel of the black coat, labeling him the descendant of patriot warriors.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
watchedverbUS /wɑːtʃt/
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
whereasconjunctionUS /weˈræz/
in contrast with the fact that
From this reading The room was not like him, being cheerful and hideous, whereas Mr. Vertrees was anxious and decorative.
whitenessnounUS /ˈwaɪtnəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)
From this reading His lambrequin mustache--relic of a forgotten Anglomania--had been profoundly black, but now, like his smooth hair, it was approaching an equally sheer whiteness; and though his clothes were old, they had shapeliness and a flavor of mode.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Vertrees, having watched their departure with the air of a man who had something at hazard upon the expedition, turned from the window and began to pace the library thoughtfully, pending their return.
witheredadjectiveUS /ˈwɪðərd/
lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
From this reading He was about sixty; a small man, withered and dry and fine, a trim little sketch of an elderly dandy.
