used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
(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 Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
bellownounUS /ˈbeloʊ/
a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
Bristow's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "What do you mean, sah, by keeping a gentleman cooling his heels on the door-step like a tax-collector?
camphor-wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
coolingnounUS /ˈkuːlɪŋ/
the process of becoming cooler; a falling temperature
From this reading "What do you mean, sah, by keeping a gentleman cooling his heels on the door-step like a tax-collector?
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
Damory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What do you mean, sah, by keeping a gentleman cooling his heels on the door-step like a tax-collector?
dog-gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You dog-gone lazy rascal!" thundered the major.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
door-step
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What do you mean, sah, by keeping a gentleman cooling his heels on the door-step like a tax-collector?
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
a man of refinement
From this reading "What do you mean, sah, by keeping a gentleman cooling his heels on the door-step like a tax-collector?
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading "What do you mean, sah, by keeping a gentleman cooling his heels on the door-step like a tax-collector?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
ivory-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
JeffersonnounUS /ˈdʒefərsən/
3rd President of the United States; chief drafter of the Declaration of Independence; made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and sent out the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore it (1743-1826)
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
conformity or harmony
From this reading "What do you mean, sah, by keeping a gentleman cooling his heels on the door-step like a tax-collector?
kitchensnounUS /ˈkɪtʃənz/
plural of “kitchen” — a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
knockernoun
(Yiddish) a big shot who knows it and acts that way; a boastful immoderate person
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/
moving slowly and gently
From this reading "You dog-gone lazy rascal!" thundered the major.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "What do you mean, sah, by keeping a gentleman cooling his heels on the door-step like a tax-collector?
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "What do you mean, sah, by keeping a gentleman cooling his heels on the door-step like a tax-collector?
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
on one occasion
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
a course of conduct
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
rascalnounUS /ˈræskəl/
a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
From this reading "You dog-gone lazy rascal!" thundered the major.
Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
sah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What do you mean, sah, by keeping a gentleman cooling his heels on the door-step like a tax-collector?
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
shufflingnounUS /ˈʃʌflɪŋ/
walking with a slow dragging motion without lifting your feet
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
stentorianadjective
(used of the voice or sound) deep and resonant
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
strodeverbUS /stroʊd/
inflected form of “stride” — walk with long steps
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
tangnounUS /tæŋ/
a tart spicy quality
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
tax-collector
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What do you mean, sah, by keeping a gentleman cooling his heels on the door-step like a tax-collector?
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
thumpedverbUS /θʌmpt/
past form of “thump” — move rhythmically
From this reading THE EVENING OF AN OLD SCORE Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!--Major Bristow's ivory-headed camphor-wood stick thumped on the great door of Damory Court.
thunderedverbUS /ˈθʌndərd/
past form of “thunder” — move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading "You dog-gone lazy rascal!" thundered the major.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What do you mean, sah, by keeping a gentleman cooling his heels on the door-step like a tax-collector?
whitesnounUS /waɪts/
plural of “white” — a Caucasian
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now he strode to the end of the porch and raised his voice in a stentorian bellow that brought Uncle Jefferson shuffling around the path from the kitchens with all the whites of his eyes showing.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The sound had a tang of impatience, for he had used the knocker more than once without result.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You dog-gone lazy rascal!" thundered the major.
