used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
appallingnounUS /əˈpɔːlɪŋ/
an experience that appalls
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Are you—English?” asked Robin in astonishment.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Are you—English?” asked Robin in astonishment.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading “Are you—English?” asked Robin in astonishment.
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
briskadjectiveUS /brɪsk/
quick and energetic
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
charadesnounUS /ʃərˈeɪdz/
guessing game in which one player pantomimes a word or phrase for others to guess
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
clothing in general
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading “Only in this room,” was the dry reply, “and don’t you or our friend, the doctor, here forget it.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only in this room,” was the dry reply, “and don’t you or our friend, the doctor, here forget it.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading “Only in this room,” was the dry reply, “and don’t you or our friend, the doctor, here forget it.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading “Are you—English?” asked Robin in astonishment.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading “Only in this room,” was the dry reply, “and don’t you or our friend, the doctor, here forget it.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading “Only in this room,” was the dry reply, “and don’t you or our friend, the doctor, here forget it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Only in this room,” was the dry reply, “and don’t you or our friend, the doctor, here forget it.
HerrnounUS /her/
a German man; used before the name as a title equivalent to Mr in English
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
illusionnounUS /ˌɪˈluːʒən/
an erroneous mental representation
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Only in this room,” was the dry reply, “and don’t you or our friend, the doctor, here forget it.
jovialadjectiveUS /ˈdʒoʊviəl/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
loose-limbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
and nothing more
From this reading “Only in this room,” was the dry reply, “and don’t you or our friend, the doctor, here forget it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Only in this room,” was the dry reply, “and don’t you or our friend, the doctor, here forget it.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “Only in this room,” was the dry reply, “and don’t you or our friend, the doctor, here forget it.
plethoricadjective
excessively abundant
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading “Only in this room,” was the dry reply, “and don’t you or our friend, the doctor, here forget it.
RIDDLEverbUS /ˈrɪdəl/
pierce with many holes
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
rigiditynounUS /rɪˈdʒɪdəti/
the physical property of being stiff and resisting bending
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
RobinnounUS /ˈrɑːbən/
small Old World songbird with a reddish breast
From this reading “Are you—English?” asked Robin in astonishment.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading “Only in this room,” was the dry reply, “and don’t you or our friend, the doctor, here forget it.
SchulznounUS /ʃʊlts/
United States cartoonist whose comic strip included the beagle Snoopy (1922-2000)
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
in or at that place or location
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Only in this room,” was the dry reply, “and don’t you or our friend, the doctor, here forget it.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading With the change the illusion supported by his appalling clothes was broken and he looked like a man dressed up for charades.
utteringverbUS /ˈʌtərɪŋ/
-ing form of “utter” — articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
having passed out of existence
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His plethoric rigidity of manner vanished, and, though he spoke with a brisk air of authority, there was a jovial ring in his voice which instantly inspired confidence.
the words that are spoken
From this reading THE READING OF THE RIDDLE In uttering those words Herr Schulz seemed suddenly to become loose-limbed and easy.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Are you—English?” asked Robin in astonishment.
