used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading "That's one advantage of being in jail in your own house--the food's good," I commented.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But it's clear that there are matters here which require explanation.
assignmentnounUS /əˈsaɪnmənt/
a duty that you are assigned to perform (especially in the armed forces)
From this reading "Frankly, I didn't relish this assignment.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "That's one advantage of being in jail in your own house--the food's good," I commented.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it's clear that there are matters here which require explanation.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I can understand your feelings," Smale said.
rid of obstructions
From this reading But it's clear that there are matters here which require explanation.
commentedverbUS /ˈkɑːmentəd/
past form of “comment” — make or write a comment on
From this reading "That's one advantage of being in jail in your own house--the food's good," I commented.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Frankly, I didn't relish this assignment.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading But it's clear that there are matters here which require explanation.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading "I can understand your feelings," Smale said.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
food'snounUS /fuːdz/
possessive form of “food” — any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading "That's one advantage of being in jail in your own house--the food's good," I commented.
FranklyadverbUS /ˈfræŋkli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading "Frankly, I didn't relish this assignment.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "That's one advantage of being in jail in your own house--the food's good," I commented.
hamnounUS /hæm/
meat cut from the thigh of a hog (usually smoked)
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading But it's clear that there are matters here which require explanation.
honeydewnounUS /ˈhʌniduː/
the fruit of a variety of winter melon vine; a large smooth greenish-white melon with pale green flesh
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading "That's one advantage of being in jail in your own house--the food's good," I commented.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "That's one advantage of being in jail in your own house--the food's good," I commented.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it's clear that there are matters here which require explanation.
jailnounUS /dʒeɪl/
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading "That's one advantage of being in jail in your own house--the food's good," I commented.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But it's clear that there are matters here which require explanation.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "That's one advantage of being in jail in your own house--the food's good," I commented.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "That's one advantage of being in jail in your own house--the food's good," I commented.
relishnounUS /ˈrelɪʃ/
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
From this reading "Frankly, I didn't relish this assignment.
any object that is left unused or still extant
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading But it's clear that there are matters here which require explanation.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I can understand your feelings," Smale said.
Smale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
steaksnounUS /steɪks/
plural of “steak” — a slice of meat cut from the fleshy part of an animal or large fish
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
sunrisenounUS /ˈsʌnraɪz/
the first light of day
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But it's clear that there are matters here which require explanation.
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's one advantage of being in jail in your own house--the food's good," I commented.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But it's clear that there are matters here which require explanation.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Frankly, I didn't relish this assignment.
toyingnounUS /ˈtɔɪɪŋ/
playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading "I can understand your feelings," Smale said.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But it's clear that there are matters here which require explanation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a few minutes after sunrise, and Smale and I were back on the terrace toying with the remains of ham steaks and honeydew.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "That's one advantage of being in jail in your own house--the food's good," I commented.
