used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading PHIL IS NERVOUS Langridge struggled to his feet, anger rendering him almost speechless.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading PHIL IS NERVOUS Langridge struggled to his feet, anger rendering him almost speechless.
eagerly desirous
From this reading Wallops, the messenger, was shrinking away, anxious to escape unobserved, though he cast a look of gratitude at Phil.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Wallops, the messenger, was shrinking away, anxious to escape unobserved, though he cast a look of gratitude at Phil.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Wallops, the messenger, was shrinking away, anxious to escape unobserved, though he cast a look of gratitude at Phil.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
boxernounUS /ˈbɑːksər/
someone who fights with his fists for sport
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
put or send forth
From this reading Wallops, the messenger, was shrinking away, anxious to escape unobserved, though he cast a look of gratitude at Phil.
chum's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
distinctnessnoun
the quality of being sharp and clear
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Wallops, the messenger, was shrinking away, anxious to escape unobserved, though he cast a look of gratitude at Phil.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading PHIL IS NERVOUS Langridge struggled to his feet, anger rendering him almost speechless.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
Gerhart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
From this reading Wallops, the messenger, was shrinking away, anxious to escape unobserved, though he cast a look of gratitude at Phil.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading PHIL IS NERVOUS Langridge struggled to his feet, anger rendering him almost speechless.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading PHIL IS NERVOUS Langridge struggled to his feet, anger rendering him almost speechless.
illuminatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈluːməneɪtəd/
provided with artificial light
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PHIL IS NERVOUS Langridge struggled to his feet, anger rendering him almost speechless.
Langridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PHIL IS NERVOUS Langridge struggled to his feet, anger rendering him almost speechless.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Wallops, the messenger, was shrinking away, anxious to escape unobserved, though he cast a look of gratitude at Phil.
engage in
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
a person who carries a message
From this reading Wallops, the messenger, was shrinking away, anxious to escape unobserved, though he cast a look of gratitude at Phil.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
easily agitated
From this reading PHIL IS NERVOUS Langridge struggled to his feet, anger rendering him almost speechless.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
PHIL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PHIL IS NERVOUS Langridge struggled to his feet, anger rendering him almost speechless.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
renderingnounUS /ˈrendərɪŋ/
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
From this reading PHIL IS NERVOUS Langridge struggled to his feet, anger rendering him almost speechless.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
shrinkingnounUS /ˈʃrɪŋkɪŋ/
process or result of becoming less or smaller
From this reading Wallops, the messenger, was shrinking away, anxious to escape unobserved, though he cast a look of gratitude at Phil.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
speechlessadjectiveUS /ˈspiːtʃləs/
temporarily incapable of speaking
From this reading PHIL IS NERVOUS Langridge struggled to his feet, anger rendering him almost speechless.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
struggledverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəld/
past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading PHIL IS NERVOUS Langridge struggled to his feet, anger rendering him almost speechless.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
carry out
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Wallops, the messenger, was shrinking away, anxious to escape unobserved, though he cast a look of gratitude at Phil.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PHIL IS NERVOUS Langridge struggled to his feet, anger rendering him almost speechless.
male cat
From this reading Tom was surprised at his chum's sudden attack, but he stood ready to aid him, in case Gerhart should make an effort to take sides.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
unobservedadjective
not seen or observed
From this reading Wallops, the messenger, was shrinking away, anxious to escape unobserved, though he cast a look of gratitude at Phil.
WallopsnounUS /ˈwɑːləps/
plural of “wallop” — a forceful consequence; a strong effect
From this reading Wallops, the messenger, was shrinking away, anxious to escape unobserved, though he cast a look of gratitude at Phil.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Wallops, the messenger, was shrinking away, anxious to escape unobserved, though he cast a look of gratitude at Phil.
which person or people
From this reading He started toward Phil, who stood in the attitude of a trained boxer, awaiting the attack.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The light from a new moon faintly illuminated the scene, and the figures stood out with considerable distinctness against the background of the dark building.
