used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I’ll stay to explain if necessary,” he added, glancing at Helen, the centre of a group of officers.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading “I’ll stay to explain if necessary,” he added, glancing at Helen, the centre of a group of officers.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He saw him at the far corner of the room and hurried to his side.
ballroomnounUS /ˈbɔːlruːm/
large room used mainly for dancing
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading “I’ll stay to explain if necessary,” he added, glancing at Helen, the centre of a group of officers.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading “Syd, get your coat and hat and meet me at the door, quick!” he whispered excitedly.
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading He saw him at the far corner of the room and hurried to his side.
DOCUMENTnounUS /ˈdɑːkjəment/
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading “Syd, get your coat and hat and meet me at the door, quick!” he whispered excitedly.
excitedlyadverbUS /ɪkˈsaɪtədli/
with excitement; in an excited manner
From this reading “Syd, get your coat and hat and meet me at the door, quick!” he whispered excitedly.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading “I’ll stay to explain if necessary,” he added, glancing at Helen, the centre of a group of officers.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He saw him at the far corner of the room and hurried to his side.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
friend'snounUS /frendz/
possessive form of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “Syd, get your coat and hat and meet me at the door, quick!” he whispered excitedly.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading “I’ll stay to explain if necessary,” he added, glancing at Helen, the centre of a group of officers.
death of a person
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading “I’ll stay to explain if necessary,” he added, glancing at Helen, the centre of a group of officers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading “Syd, get your coat and hat and meet me at the door, quick!” he whispered excitedly.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He saw him at the far corner of the room and hurried to his side.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading “I’ll stay to explain if necessary,” he added, glancing at Helen, the centre of a group of officers.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He saw him at the far corner of the room and hurried to his side.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He saw him at the far corner of the room and hurried to his side.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading He saw him at the far corner of the room and hurried to his side.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’ll stay to explain if necessary,” he added, glancing at Helen, the centre of a group of officers.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “I’ll stay to explain if necessary,” he added, glancing at Helen, the centre of a group of officers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
and nothing more
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Syd, get your coat and hat and meet me at the door, quick!” he whispered excitedly.
come together
From this reading “Syd, get your coat and hat and meet me at the door, quick!” he whispered excitedly.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
absolutely essential
From this reading “I’ll stay to explain if necessary,” he added, glancing at Helen, the centre of a group of officers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He saw him at the far corner of the room and hurried to his side.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading “I’ll stay to explain if necessary,” he added, glancing at Helen, the centre of a group of officers.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading “Syd, get your coat and hat and meet me at the door, quick!” he whispered excitedly.
with speed
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He saw him at the far corner of the room and hurried to his side.
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw him at the far corner of the room and hurried to his side.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He saw him at the far corner of the room and hurried to his side.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading “I’ll stay to explain if necessary,” he added, glancing at Helen, the centre of a group of officers.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
Syd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Syd, get your coat and hat and meet me at the door, quick!” he whispered excitedly.
SydneynounUS /ˈsɪdni/
the largest Australian city located in southeastern Australia on the Tasman Sea; state capital of New South Wales; Australia's chief port
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SECRET DOCUMENT Phil reached the ballroom just as the music had stopped, and looked quickly about for Sydney.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He saw him at the far corner of the room and hurried to his side.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading “Syd, get your coat and hat and meet me at the door, quick!” he whispered excitedly.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Sydney would have asked for an explanation, but a look at his friend’s face showed him that it was a matter of grave concern.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Syd, get your coat and hat and meet me at the door, quick!” he whispered excitedly.
