used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading “But this is bound to mean a libel action!” he cried.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading “Not a bit of it,” said Mr. Petheram comfortably.
cause to be bored
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
confined by bonds
From this reading “But this is bound to mean a libel action!” he cried.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “But this is bound to mean a libel action!” he cried.
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading “Not a bit of it,” said Mr. Petheram comfortably.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “But this is bound to mean a libel action!” he cried.
doesn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You don't know Percy.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “But this is bound to mean a libel action!” he cried.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “You don't know Percy.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
libelnounUS /ˈlaɪbəl/
a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person
From this reading “But this is bound to mean a libel action!” he cried.
life-history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading “But this is bound to mean a libel action!” he cried.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “Not a bit of it,” said Mr. Petheram comfortably.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not a bit of it,” said Mr. Petheram comfortably.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Not a bit of it,” said Mr. Petheram comfortably.
paragraphnounUS /ˈpærəɡræf/
one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
PercynounUS /ˈpɜːrsi/
United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)
From this reading “You don't know Percy.
Petheram
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Not a bit of it,” said Mr. Petheram comfortably.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
Roland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
move hurridly
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Not a bit of it,” said Mr. Petheram comfortably.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
snakenounUS /sneɪk/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
carry out
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “But this is bound to mean a libel action!” he cried.
thumbnounUS /θʌm/
the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
From this reading Roland removed his thumb, and, having read the paragraph in question, started as if he had removed it from a snake.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “But this is bound to mean a libel action!” he cried.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I won't bore you with his life-history, but take it from me he doesn't rush into a court of law from sheer love of it.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You don't know Percy.
