used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WAIFS AND STRAYS.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
counternounUS /ˈkaʊntər/
table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
flapverbUS /flæp/
move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
a young female
From this reading "Please, rere's a little girl here," said the voice.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Please, rere's a little girl here," said the voice.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
huggingnounUS /ˈhʌɡɪŋ/
affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
indistinctadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt/
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
held up in the air
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
engage in
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
held or filled or in use
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
OlivernounUS /ˈɑːləvər/
United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
outlinenounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪn/
the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading "Please, rere's a little girl here," said the voice.
rere's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Please, rere's a little girl here," said the voice.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Please, rere's a little girl here," said the voice.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
do one's shopping
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
stoopedadjectiveUS /stuːpt/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
STRAYSnounUS /streɪz/
plural of “stray” — an animal that has strayed (especially a domestic animal)
From this reading WAIFS AND STRAYS.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
a shaky motion
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
precisely as stated
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
WAIFS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WAIFS AND STRAYS.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
at the time that
From this reading He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
but in spite of that
From this reading In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door.
