used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "I've been unavoidably detained, Hawes," I said, "Miss Jane Maitland has disappeared from her home."
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
clientsnounUS /ˈklaɪənts/
plural of “client” — a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
detainedverbUS /dɪˈteɪnd/
past form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading "I've been unavoidably detained, Hawes," I said, "Miss Jane Maitland has disappeared from her home."
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading "I've been unavoidably detained, Hawes," I said, "Miss Jane Maitland has disappeared from her home."
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
edgingnounUS /ˈedʒɪŋ/
border consisting of anything placed on the edge to finish something (such as a fringe on clothing or on a rug)
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
editionsnounUS /ɪˈdɪʃənz/
plural of “edition” — the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading His expression when he saw me was pure relief, the clients', relief strongly mixed with irritation.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
FLEMINGnounUS /ˈflemɪŋ/
British writer famous for writing spy novels about secret agent James Bond (1908-1964)
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
set up or found
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
only a very short time before
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I've been unavoidably detained, Hawes," I said, "Miss Jane Maitland has disappeared from her home."
HawesverbUS /hɔːz/
third-person singular of “haw” — utter “haw”
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His expression when he saw me was pure relief, the clients', relief strongly mixed with irritation.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I've been unavoidably detained, Hawes," I said, "Miss Jane Maitland has disappeared from her home."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His expression when he saw me was pure relief, the clients', relief strongly mixed with irritation.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've been unavoidably detained, Hawes," I said, "Miss Jane Maitland has disappeared from her home."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
irritationnounUS /ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading His expression when he saw me was pure relief, the clients', relief strongly mixed with irritation.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've been unavoidably detained, Hawes," I said, "Miss Jane Maitland has disappeared from her home."
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
MaitlandnounUS /ˈmeɪtlənd/
English historian noted for his works on the history of English law (1850-1906)
From this reading "I've been unavoidably detained, Hawes," I said, "Miss Jane Maitland has disappeared from her home."
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His expression when he saw me was pure relief, the clients', relief strongly mixed with irritation.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "I've been unavoidably detained, Hawes," I said, "Miss Jane Maitland has disappeared from her home."
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading His expression when he saw me was pure relief, the clients', relief strongly mixed with irritation.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
offeringnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading His expression when he saw me was pure relief, the clients', relief strongly mixed with irritation.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading His expression when he saw me was pure relief, the clients', relief strongly mixed with irritation.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I've been unavoidably detained, Hawes," I said, "Miss Jane Maitland has disappeared from her home."
cut with a saw
From this reading His expression when he saw me was pure relief, the clients', relief strongly mixed with irritation.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading His expression when he saw me was pure relief, the clients', relief strongly mixed with irritation.
tearfuladjectiveUS /ˈtɪrfəl/
filled with or marked by tears
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
unavoidablyadverbUS /ˌʌnəˈvɔɪdəbli/
by necessity
From this reading "I've been unavoidably detained, Hawes," I said, "Miss Jane Maitland has disappeared from her home."
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His expression when he saw me was pure relief, the clients', relief strongly mixed with irritation.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE FLEMING HOME I had a tearful message from Hawes late that afternoon, and a little after five I went to the office.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I put the best face on the matter that I could, saw my visitors, and left alone, prepared to explain to Hawes what I could hardly explain to myself.
at the time that
From this reading His expression when he saw me was pure relief, the clients', relief strongly mixed with irritation.
which person or people
From this reading I found him offering late editions of the evening paper to a couple of clients, who were edging toward the door.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His expression when he saw me was pure relief, the clients', relief strongly mixed with irritation.
