used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading RETURN “Danby,” I said, “you might fetch me an overcoat.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
coalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
Danby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RETURN “Danby,” I said, “you might fetch me an overcoat.”
dislikedadjectiveUS /dɪˈslaɪkt/
regarded with aversion
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
being one more than seven
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
experimentnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənt/
the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading RETURN “Danby,” I said, “you might fetch me an overcoat.”
firesidenounUS /ˈfaɪərsaɪd/
an area near a fireplace (usually paved and extending out into a room)
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
garmentnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənt/
an article of clothing
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
gratenounUS /ɡreɪt/
a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
half-burnt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The hand was now at seven minutes after the hour.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The hand was now at seven minutes after the hour.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading RETURN “Danby,” I said, “you might fetch me an overcoat.”
indicatedverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪtəd/
past form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
go away from a place
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
lumpnounUS /lʌmp/
a compact mass
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading RETURN “Danby,” I said, “you might fetch me an overcoat.”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading RETURN “Danby,” I said, “you might fetch me an overcoat.”
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
being perceived or observed
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The hand was now at seven minutes after the hour.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
on one occasion
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
overcoatnounUS /ˈoʊvərkoʊt/
a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
From this reading RETURN “Danby,” I said, “you might fetch me an overcoat.”
perilouslyadverbUS /ˈperələsli/
in a dangerous manner
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
poisedadjectiveUS /pɔɪzd/
marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading RETURN “Danby,” I said, “you might fetch me an overcoat.”
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading RETURN “Danby,” I said, “you might fetch me an overcoat.”
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading The hand was now at seven minutes after the hour.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
solemnitynounUS /səˈlemnəti/
a trait of dignified seriousness
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
the upper part of anything
From this reading I had noticed a lump of half-burnt coal that had poised perilously over the top bar of the grate as I had risen to leave them.
being of use or service
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The hand was now at seven minutes after the hour.
at the time that
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I looked at the clock, which had indicated three minutes after eight when I had shaken hands with the Professor, with a disliked solemnity, before I commenced the experiment.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Having been provided with this useful garment, I sat once more at the familiar fireside.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading RETURN “Danby,” I said, “you might fetch me an overcoat.”
