used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
Alf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading You come along with me."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading In support of this resolve, he called out to Alf: "Come here, Alf.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In support of this resolve, he called out to Alf: "Come here, Alf.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
departingverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “depart” — move away from a place into another direction
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
drunkardnounUS /ˈdrʌŋkərd/
a chronic drinker
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
accept an excuse for
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
flounderedverbUS /ˈflaʊndərd/
past form of “flounder” — walk with great difficulty
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
furtivelyadverbUS /ˈfɜːrtɪvli/
in a furtive manner
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
Harry's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading In support of this resolve, he called out to Alf: "Come here, Alf.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In support of this resolve, he called out to Alf: "Come here, Alf.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
take somebody somewhere
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
look-on
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
loweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading You come along with me."
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
a particular point in time
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
not one, and not any
From this reading None o' that, now!
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading None o' that, now!
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading None o' that, now!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
one-timeadjectiveUS /ˈwʌnˈtaɪm/
belonging to some prior time
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
possenounUS /ˈpɑːsi/
a temporary police force
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
Reesling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
resolveverbUS /riˈzɑːlv/
bring to an end; settle conclusively
From this reading In support of this resolve, he called out to Alf: "Come here, Alf.
Identical; not different.
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading In support of this resolve, he called out to Alf: "Come here, Alf.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In support of this resolve, he called out to Alf: "Come here, Alf.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Seeing the surprised look-on Harry's face, he floundered badly for a moment or two, and then concluded with the perfectly good excuse that it was his duty to lead Alf Reesling, the one-time town drunkard, away from temptation.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "If it's all the same to you," he went on, lowering his voice and glancing furtively over his shoulder at the departing members of his posse, "I guess I'll go out the back way."
