used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
a-dying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
fearless and daring
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
contradictionnounUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪkʃən/
opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
countingnounUS /ˈkaʊntɪŋ/
the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
decreedadjectiveUS /dɪˈkriːd/
fixed or established especially by order or command
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
eccentricadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsentrɪk/
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
at any time
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
extinctadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/
no longer in existence; lost or especially having died out leaving no living representatives
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
finestadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəst/
superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
four-posternoun
a bed with posts at the four corners that can be used to support a canopy or curtains
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
fringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
death of a person
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
only a very short time before
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
historiannounUS /hɪˈstɔːriən/
a person who is an authority on history and who studies it and writes about it
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
hopefuladjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpfəl/
having or manifesting hope
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
medicaladjectiveUS /ˈmedəkəl/
relating to the study or practice of medicine
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
a form of address for a man
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
Oscard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
paintsnounUS /peɪnts/
plural of “paint” — a substance used as a coating to protect or decorate a surface (especially a mixture of pigment suspended in a liquid); dries to form a hard coating
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
pennedverbUS /pend/
inflected form of “pen” — produce a literary work
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
by chance
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
proneadjectiveUS /proʊn/
having a tendency (to); often used in combination
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
provenadjectiveUS /ˈpruːvən/
established beyond doubt
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
quietestadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪətəst/
superlative of “quiet” — characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
RussellnounUS /ˈrʌsəl/
United States religious leader who founded the sect that is now called Jehovah's Witnesses (1852-1916)
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
make square
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
tassels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
thousandthnounUS /ˈθaʊzəndθ/
position 1,000 in a countable series of things
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
which person or people
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
wiseacres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
writesverbUS /raɪts/
third-person singular of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
