used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
anew
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
Arthur'snounUS /ˈɑːrθərz/
possessive form of “arthur” — elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading In such cases, he hung out the black flag, and gave no quarter.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading In such cases, he hung out the black flag, and gave no quarter.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
customernounUS /ˈkʌstəmər/
someone who pays for goods or services
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
customersnounUS /ˈkʌstəmərz/
plural of “customer” — someone who pays for goods or services
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
dangerous-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
demandsnounUS /dɪˈmændz/
plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
dilatoryadjectiveUS /ˈdɪlətɔːri/
wasting time
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
at any time
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
flagnounUS /flæɡ/
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading In such cases, he hung out the black flag, and gave no quarter.
set up or found
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading In such cases, he hung out the black flag, and gave no quarter.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
ten 10s
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading In such cases, he hung out the black flag, and gave no quarter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
inconvenientadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkənˈviːnjənt/
not suited to your comfort, purpose or needs
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
interlocutornounUS /ˌɪntərˈlɑːkjətər/
the performer in the middle of a minstrel line who engages the others in talk
From this reading Such, then, was our other interlocutor, Mr Fairly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
and nothing more
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
ledgernounUS /ˈledʒər/
a record in which commercial accounts are recorded
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
left-handadjectiveUS /ˌleftˈhænd/
intended for the left hand
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
mercilessadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrsələs/
having or showing no mercy
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
not any; not one
From this reading In such cases, he hung out the black flag, and gave no quarter.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Such, then, was our other interlocutor, Mr Fairly.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Such, then, was our other interlocutor, Mr Fairly.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In such cases, he hung out the black flag, and gave no quarter.
payersnounUS /ˈpeɪərz/
plural of “payer” — a person who pays money for something
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
a human being
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
propensitiesnounUS /prəˈpensətiz/
plural of “propensity” — an inclination to do something
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
one of four equal parts
From this reading In such cases, he hung out the black flag, and gave no quarter.
razornounUS /ˈreɪzər/
edge tool used in shaving
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
respectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektɪd/
receiving deferential regard
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
caught or fixed
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading In such cases, he hung out the black flag, and gave no quarter.
tailorverbUS /ˈteɪlər/
adjust to a specific need or market
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Such, then, was our other interlocutor, Mr Fairly.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr Fairly, again--the person spoken to--was a fashionable tailor in a certain city not a hundred miles from Arthur's Seat.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was, in truth, just as merciless a tailor as ever cut cloth, and well were his savage propensities known to, and much were they respected by, a certain class of his customers--meaning those who stuck too long on the left-hand side of his ledger--the fatal ledger.
which person or people
From this reading He was a little, active man, sharp and keen as a razor; and altogether a dangerous-looking customer to those who found it inconvenient to settle his demands in due time; he was, in short, the dread and terror of dilatory payers.
