used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading When Brent answered, it was with challenging decisiveness.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Do you assert any claim of copyright--or prior discovery, or is it a clear field and no favor?"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
assertverbUS /əˈsɜːrt/
state categorically
From this reading Do you assert any claim of copyright--or prior discovery, or is it a clear field and no favor?"
barbaricadjectiveUS /bɑːrˈbærɪk/
without civilizing influences
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
beauty's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
BrentnounUS /brent/
small dark geese that breed in the north and migrate southward
From this reading When Brent answered, it was with challenging decisiveness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
challengingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃæləndʒɪŋ/
requiring full use of your abilities or resources
From this reading When Brent answered, it was with challenging decisiveness.
the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading Do you assert any claim of copyright--or prior discovery, or is it a clear field and no favor?"
rid of obstructions
From this reading Do you assert any claim of copyright--or prior discovery, or is it a clear field and no favor?"
coatless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
copyrightnounUS /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/
a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work
From this reading Do you assert any claim of copyright--or prior discovery, or is it a clear field and no favor?"
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
decisivenessnounUS /dɪˈsaɪsɪvnəs/
the trait of resoluteness as evidenced by firmness of character or purpose
From this reading When Brent answered, it was with challenging decisiveness.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
the act of discovering something
From this reading Do you assert any claim of copyright--or prior discovery, or is it a clear field and no favor?"
disheveledadjectiveUS /dɪˈʃevəld/
in disarray; extremely disorderly
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Do you assert any claim of copyright--or prior discovery, or is it a clear field and no favor?"
divisible by two
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
promote over another
From this reading Do you assert any claim of copyright--or prior discovery, or is it a clear field and no favor?"
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading Do you assert any claim of copyright--or prior discovery, or is it a clear field and no favor?"
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
flannelnounUS /ˈflænəl/
a soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
grinnedverbUS /ɡrɪnd/
inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
Halloway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
hound's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Do you assert any claim of copyright--or prior discovery, or is it a clear field and no favor?"
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
not any; not one
From this reading Do you assert any claim of copyright--or prior discovery, or is it a clear field and no favor?"
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Do you assert any claim of copyright--or prior discovery, or is it a clear field and no favor?"
prioradjectiveUS /ˈpraɪər/
earlier in time
From this reading Do you assert any claim of copyright--or prior discovery, or is it a clear field and no favor?"
professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
promptverbUS /prɑːmpt/
give an incentive for action
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
regaladjectiveUS /ˈriːɡəl/
belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
risesnounUS /ˈraɪzəz/
plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
rumpledadjectiveUS /ˈrʌmpəld/
in disarray; extremely disorderly
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
squalidadjectiveUS /ˈskwɑːləd/
morally degraded
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
express in words
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
in or at that place or location
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
create by training and teaching
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
at the time that
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
a Caucasian
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
which person or people
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading His hair was rumpled; his whole aspect disheveled; but when he grinned there was the flash of strong teeth as white as a hound's and as even as a professional beauty's.
belonging to which person
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
in the company of; together with
From this reading In a squalid room above stairs, Halloway sat, coatless, with his flannel shirt open on a throat that rose from the swell of his chest as a tower rises from a hill.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Now tell me," he demanded with prompt interest, "who is this barbaric and regal creature in whose train I find you?
