adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
answerverbUS /ˈænsər/
react verbally
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
appearverbUS /əˈpɪr/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
areanounUS /ˈeriə/
a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
bednounUS /bed/
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.
chins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
delicately-chiselled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
deucenounUS /duːs/
a tie in tennis or table tennis that requires winning two successive points to win the game
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
distributedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrɪbjətəd/
spread out or scattered about or divided up
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
effortnounUS /ˈefərt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
featuresnounUS /ˈfiːtʃərz/
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
getverbUS /ɡet/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
LedbetternounUS /ˈledbərtər/
United States folk singer and composer (1885-1949)
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
Ledbetter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
legsnounUS /leɡz/
staying power
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
notenounUS /noʊt/
a brief written record
From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
objectionableadjectiveUS /əbˈdʒekʃənəbəl/
causing disapproval or protest
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
personaladjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrsɪnəl/
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
proceededverbUS /prəˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
promisedverbUS /ˈprɑːməst/
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
propitiatoryadjective
having power to atone for or offered by way of expiation or propitiation
From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
remarksnounUS /rɪˈmɑːrks/
plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
requireverbUS /ˌriːˈkwaɪər/
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
smileverbUS /smaɪl/
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.
smiledverbUS /smaɪld/
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
stoutadjectiveUS /staʊt/
dependable
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
undertonenounUS /ˈʌndərtoʊn/
a quiet or hushed tone of voice
From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading He did not appear to require an answer, but proceeded at once to several very objectionable remarks upon Mr. Ledbetter's personal appearance.
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
wanadjectiveUS /wɑːn/
(of light) lacking in intensity or brightness; dim or feeble
From this reading Mr. Ledbetter, by an effort, smiled a wan propitiatory smile.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading And the note of his voice had a sort of whispering undertone.
whitishadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪtɪʃ/
resembling milk in color; not clear
From this reading He was not a very big man, but he looked strong to Mr. Ledbetter: he was as stout as his legs had promised, he had rather delicately-chiselled small features distributed over a considerable area of whitish face, and quite a number of chins.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “What the deuce, I say, possessed you to get under my bed?”
