used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
any thing at all
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “You wanted to see me, Excellenz?” he asked quietly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
brisklyadverbUS /ˈbrɪskli/
in a brisk manner
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had evinced a mild surprise at Rizzio’s presence, but no discomposure.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
composurenounUS /kəmˈpoʊʒər/
steadiness of mind under stress
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
demeanornounUS /dɪˈmiːnər/
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
discomposurenoun
anxious embarrassment
From this reading He had evinced a mild surprise at Rizzio’s presence, but no discomposure.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
eagernessnounUS /ˈiːɡərnəs/
a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
evincedverbUS /ɪˈvɪnst/
past form of “evince” — give expression to
From this reading He had evinced a mild surprise at Rizzio’s presence, but no discomposure.
Excellenz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You wanted to see me, Excellenz?” he asked quietly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
Hammersley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
HerrnounUS /her/
a German man; used before the name as a title equivalent to Mr in English
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
imminencenounUS /ˈɪmənəns/
the state of being imminent and liable to happen soon
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
INQUISITIONnounUS /ˌɪn.kwɪˈzɪʃ.ən/
A period of prolonged and intensive questioning or investigation.
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
issueverbUS /ˈɪʃuː/
prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “You wanted to see me, Excellenz?” he asked quietly.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading He had evinced a mild surprise at Rizzio’s presence, but no discomposure.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
absolutely essential
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
not any; not one
From this reading He had evinced a mild surprise at Rizzio’s presence, but no discomposure.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
performedverbUS /pərˈfɔːrmd/
past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading He had evinced a mild surprise at Rizzio’s presence, but no discomposure.
producingverbUS /prəˈduːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
with low volume
From this reading “You wanted to see me, Excellenz?” he asked quietly.
Rizzio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
Rizzio's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had evinced a mild surprise at Rizzio’s presence, but no discomposure.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “You wanted to see me, Excellenz?” he asked quietly.
seriousnessnounUS /ˈsɪriəsnəs/
an earnest and sincere feeling
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
Stromberg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading He had evinced a mild surprise at Rizzio’s presence, but no discomposure.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
trumpverbUS /trʌmp/
produce a sound as if from a trumpet
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
von
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE INQUISITION If General von Stromberg had counted upon playing a trump card in producing Rizzio at this interview, Herr Hammersley’s demeanor must have disappointed him.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading “You wanted to see me, Excellenz?” he asked quietly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading If anything, his manner now had a kind of sober eagerness as at the imminence of an issue in which a necessary if painful duty must be performed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For he entered the room with cheerful composure, noted Rizzio, stared at him in sudden seriousness, and then turned to von Stromberg with the air of a man briskly intent.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You wanted to see me, Excellenz?” he asked quietly.
