used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
an occurrence of something
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
ComparingnounUS /kəmˈperɪŋ/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
dealernounUS /ˈdiːlər/
someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
greatly pleased
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
driedadjectiveUS /draɪd/
not still wet
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
divisible by two
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
expectationsnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “expectation” — belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
facialnounUS /ˈfeɪʃəl/
cranial nerve that supplies facial muscles
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
fish-glue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
foundationnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
fractureverbUS /ˈfræktʃər/
violate or abuse
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
mappedverbUS /mæpt/
inflected form of “map” — make a map of; show or establish the features of details of
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
occupyverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪ/
keep busy with
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
photographsnounUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræfs/
plural of “photograph” — a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide or in digital format
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
red-letteradjective
memorable for being a special occasion
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
retainedadjectiveUS /rɪˈteɪnd/
continued in your keeping or use or memory
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
skeletonnounUS /ˈskelətən/
something reduced to its minimal form
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
skullnounUS /skʌl/
the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
specimennounUS /ˈspesəmən/
an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
texturenounUS /ˈtekstʃər/
the feel of a surface or a fabric
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Comparing it with the photographs taken after death, I was delighted to find that the facial characters and even the expression were almost perfectly retained.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading "It was a red-letter day when I put Number One in the great glass case and took out the skeleton that I had bought from the dealer to occupy its place until it was ready.
precisely as stated
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The bones were of a good color and texture, the fracture of the skull, when carefully joined with fish-glue, was quite invisible, and, as to the little dried preparation of the head, it was entirely beyond my expectations.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
at the time that
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The latter kept me busy for many days, but I was very pleased with the result when it was finished.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading "Thus I reflected and mapped out my course of action as I worked at what I may call the foundation specimen of my collection.
