used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
alighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But time was pressing.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
traveling across
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
deviseverbUS /dɪˈvaɪz/
come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
EmbassynounUS /ˈembəsi/
a diplomatic building where ambassadors live or work
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
a single distinct event
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
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 I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
mid-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
mutteringnounUS /ˈmʌtərɪŋ/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
a course of conduct
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading But time was pressing.
with speed
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
reviveverbUS /rɪˈvaɪv/
cause to regain consciousness
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
express in speech
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But time was pressing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
precisely as stated
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
at the time that
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
which person or people
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
the words that are spoken
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
but in spite of that
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
