used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
CarmichaelnounUS /ˈkɑːrmaɪkəl/
United States songwriter (1899-1981)
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
chaperonnoun
one who accompanies and supervises a young woman or gatherings of young people
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
confrontedverbUS /kənˈfrʌntəd/
past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
DisregardingadverbUS /ˌdɪsrɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
set up or found
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
Gordon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
a health facility where patients receive treatment
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
immediately past
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
loungeverbUS /laʊndʒ/
sit or recline comfortably
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
promisesnounUS /ˈprɑːməsəz/
plural of “promise” — a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
recordedadjectiveUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪd/
set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
ReevesnounUS /riːvz/
plural of “reeve” — female ruff
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
Rendall-Smith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
express in words
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
self-importancenoun
an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
in the near future
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
carry out
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Reeves promises to do his Best The conversation recorded in the last chapter took place (I forgot to say) on Saturday afternoon.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
waiting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading It was while he was at tea downstairs that a message was brought in to Reeves telling him that a lady wished to see him on urgent business.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Disregarding Gordon’s suggestion that he should take Carmichael with him as a chaperon, he made his way to the small lounge with some feeling of self-importance, and found himself most unexpectedly confronted with Miss Rendall-Smith.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She would not give her name, but she was waiting for him in what was called “the small lounge”—a dreary little room, which had something of the air of a hospital waiting-room; she would be glad if he could come as soon as possible.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’m afraid you think badly of me, Mr. Reeves,” she said, “and you’ll probably think worse of me before I’ve finished.”
