used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
Andy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
counternounUS /ˈkaʊntər/
table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
cutlerynounUS /ˈkʌtləri/
a cutting implement; a tool for cutting
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
Fryback
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
hotlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːtli/
in a heated manner
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
interfereverbUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪr/
come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"
issueverbUS /ˈɪʃuː/
prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
fasten with a lock
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
Marshal'snounUS /ˈmɑːrʃəlz/
possessive form of “marshal” — a law officer having duties similar to those of a sheriff in carrying out the judgments of a court of law
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
prodigiousadjectiveUS /prəˈdɪdʒəs/
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
on the contrary
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
repairedverbUS /rɪˈperd/
past form of “repair” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
retortnounUS /ˈriːtɔːrt/
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
precisely, exactly
From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
shouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
in a strange manner
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
subsidedverbUS /səbˈsaɪdɪd/
past form of “subside” — wear off or die down
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
swellingnounUS /ˈswelɪŋ/
an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
at the time that
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
wipingverbUS /ˈwaɪpɪŋ/
-ing form of “wipe” — rub with a circular motion
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"
