adjustingverbUS /əˈdʒʌstɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjust” — alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading AUTHORITY It was late when the jury returned.
of short duration or distance
From this reading The foreman, it was evident, felt his brief authority.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
without doubt or question
From this reading He was clearly sorry that the waiting crowd had perceptibly diminished.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading The dusty end of day completed their dusty deliberations.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading He was clearly sorry that the waiting crowd had perceptibly diminished.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The dusty end of day completed their dusty deliberations.
deliberationsnounUS /dɪˌlɪbərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “deliberation” — (usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question
From this reading The dusty end of day completed their dusty deliberations.
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading He was clearly sorry that the waiting crowd had perceptibly diminished.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading The dusty end of day completed their dusty deliberations.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The dusty end of day completed their dusty deliberations.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The foreman, it was evident, felt his brief authority.
opinion or judgment
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The foreman, it was evident, felt his brief authority.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
foremannounUS /ˈfɔːrmən/
a person who exercises control over workers
From this reading The foreman, it was evident, felt his brief authority.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was clearly sorry that the waiting crowd had perceptibly diminished.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was clearly sorry that the waiting crowd had perceptibly diminished.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The foreman, it was evident, felt his brief authority.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AUTHORITY It was late when the jury returned.
jurynounUS /ˈdʒʊri/
a body of citizens sworn to give a true verdict according to the evidence presented in a court of law
From this reading AUTHORITY It was late when the jury returned.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading AUTHORITY It was late when the jury returned.
moppingnounUS /ˈmɑːpɪŋ/
cleaning with a mop
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The dusty end of day completed their dusty deliberations.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
perceptiblyadverb
in a noticeable manner
From this reading He was clearly sorry that the waiting crowd had perceptibly diminished.
plausibleadjectiveUS /ˈplɔːzəbəl/
apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading AUTHORITY It was late when the jury returned.
seatsnounUS /siːts/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading He was clearly sorry that the waiting crowd had perceptibly diminished.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was clearly sorry that the waiting crowd had perceptibly diminished.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AUTHORITY It was late when the jury returned.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The dusty end of day completed their dusty deliberations.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
waistcoats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They settled down in their seats mopping faces, adjusting waistcoats, casting plausible eyes to the ceiling or doubtful ones to the floor.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading He was clearly sorry that the waiting crowd had perceptibly diminished.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AUTHORITY It was late when the jury returned.
at the time that
From this reading AUTHORITY It was late when the jury returned.
