used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Come in," said a voice that surprised him by its firmness.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CHANGED MAN Ernie went to the study-door and knocked.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Physically he had changed very little, spiritually it was clear at the first glance that he was another man.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Physically he had changed very little, spiritually it was clear at the first glance that he was another man.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Come in," said a voice that surprised him by its firmness.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading THE CHANGED MAN Ernie went to the study-door and knocked.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Physically he had changed very little, spiritually it was clear at the first glance that he was another man.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Come in," said a voice that surprised him by its firmness.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
discardedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɑːrdɪd/
thrown away
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
eightiesnounUS /ˈeɪtiz/
the decade from 1880 to 1889
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading He entered.
Ernie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHANGED MAN Ernie went to the study-door and knocked.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
firmnessnounUS /ˈfɜːrmnəs/
the muscle tone of healthy tissue
From this reading "Come in," said a voice that surprised him by its firmness.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Physically he had changed very little, spiritually it was clear at the first glance that he was another man.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Physically he had changed very little, spiritually it was clear at the first glance that he was another man.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He entered.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Come in," said a voice that surprised him by its firmness.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Come in," said a voice that surprised him by its firmness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Physically he had changed very little, spiritually it was clear at the first glance that he was another man.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading "Come in," said a voice that surprised him by its firmness.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading THE CHANGED MAN Ernie went to the study-door and knocked.
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 His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Physically he had changed very little, spiritually it was clear at the first glance that he was another man.
long-tailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE CHANGED MAN Ernie went to the study-door and knocked.
morning-coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
PhysicallyadverbUS /ˈfɪzɪkəli/
in accord with physical laws
From this reading Physically he had changed very little, spiritually it was clear at the first glance that he was another man.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Come in," said a voice that surprised him by its firmness.
except for; apart from
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
spirituallyadverbUS /ˈspɪrɪtʃuːəliː/
in a spiritual manner
From this reading Physically he had changed very little, spiritually it was clear at the first glance that he was another man.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
study-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHANGED MAN Ernie went to the study-door and knocked.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading "Come in," said a voice that surprised him by its firmness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Come in," said a voice that surprised him by its firmness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHANGED MAN Ernie went to the study-door and knocked.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE CHANGED MAN Ernie went to the study-door and knocked.
precisely as stated
From this reading Physically he had changed very little, spiritually it was clear at the first glance that he was another man.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Come in," said a voice that surprised him by its firmness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Physically he had changed very little, spiritually it was clear at the first glance that he was another man.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE CHANGED MAN Ernie went to the study-door and knocked.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading His father stood before the fireplace almost as he had left him, save that he had discarded his dressing-gown for a loose long-tailed morning-coat of the kind worn by country gentlemen in the eighties.
