used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
matters of personal concern
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
Artie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
barrelnounUS /ˈbærəl/
a tube through which a bullet travels when a gun is fired
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
covenounUS /koʊv/
a small inlet
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
deprivedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpraɪvd/
marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or healthful environmental influences
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
characterized by great determination
From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
escapingverbUS /ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ/
-ing form of “escape” — run away from confinement
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
set up or found
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
and nothing more
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.
LYONnounUS /ˈlaɪən/
a city in east-central France on the Rhone River; a principal producer of silk and rayon
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
MAJORadjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
pistolnounUS /ˈpɪstəl/
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
having a point
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
PROPOSALnounUS /prəˈpoʊzəl/
something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
REJECTSnounUS /rɪˈdʒekts/
plural of “reject” — the person or thing that is rejected or set aside as inferior in quality
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
Identical; not different.
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
which person or people
From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.
