used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Fortunately it protruded far enough for Frank to get a good grip on it.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading If his hand had trembled, he would have been betrayed in an instant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the experiences he had been through had steeled Frank’s nerves and his muscles worked with the precision of a machine.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A fraction of an inch at a time, he drew the paper out until it was clear of the officer’s pocket.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If his hand had trembled, he would have been betrayed in an instant.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading If his hand had trembled, he would have been betrayed in an instant.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the experiences he had been through had steeled Frank’s nerves and his muscles worked with the precision of a machine.
rid of obstructions
From this reading A fraction of an inch at a time, he drew the paper out until it was clear of the officer’s pocket.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading A fraction of an inch at a time, he drew the paper out until it was clear of the officer’s pocket.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Fortunately it protruded far enough for Frank to get a good grip on it.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading But the experiences he had been through had steeled Frank’s nerves and his muscles worked with the precision of a machine.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Fortunately it protruded far enough for Frank to get a good grip on it.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Fortunately it protruded far enough for Frank to get a good grip on it.
FortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Fortunately it protruded far enough for Frank to get a good grip on it.
fractionnounUS /ˈfrækʃən/
a component of a mixture that has been separated by a fractional process
From this reading A fraction of an inch at a time, he drew the paper out until it was clear of the officer’s pocket.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Fortunately it protruded far enough for Frank to get a good grip on it.
Frank'snounUS /fræŋks/
possessive form of “frank” — a member of the ancient Germanic peoples who spread from the Rhine into the Roman Empire in the 4th century
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Fortunately it protruded far enough for Frank to get a good grip on it.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Fortunately it protruded far enough for Frank to get a good grip on it.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading Fortunately it protruded far enough for Frank to get a good grip on it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If his hand had trembled, he would have been betrayed in an instant.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If his hand had trembled, he would have been betrayed in an instant.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If his hand had trembled, he would have been betrayed in an instant.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If his hand had trembled, he would have been betrayed in an instant.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If his hand had trembled, he would have been betrayed in an instant.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading A fraction of an inch at a time, he drew the paper out until it was clear of the officer’s pocket.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading If his hand had trembled, he would have been betrayed in an instant.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading But the experiences he had been through had steeled Frank’s nerves and his muscles worked with the precision of a machine.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
musclesnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading But the experiences he had been through had steeled Frank’s nerves and his muscles worked with the precision of a machine.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading But the experiences he had been through had steeled Frank’s nerves and his muscles worked with the precision of a machine.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the experiences he had been through had steeled Frank’s nerves and his muscles worked with the precision of a machine.
officer'snounUS /ˈɔːfɪsərz/
possessive form of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading A fraction of an inch at a time, he drew the paper out until it was clear of the officer’s pocket.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A fraction of an inch at a time, he drew the paper out until it was clear of the officer’s pocket.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading A fraction of an inch at a time, he drew the paper out until it was clear of the officer’s pocket.
precisionnounUS /priˈsɪʒən/
the quality of being reproducible in amount or performance
From this reading But the experiences he had been through had steeled Frank’s nerves and his muscles worked with the precision of a machine.
protruded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately it protruded far enough for Frank to get a good grip on it.
only a very short time before
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
steeledverbUS /stiːld/
past form of “steel” — get ready for something difficult or unpleasant
From this reading But the experiences he had been through had steeled Frank’s nerves and his muscles worked with the precision of a machine.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But the experiences he had been through had steeled Frank’s nerves and his muscles worked with the precision of a machine.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A fraction of an inch at a time, he drew the paper out until it was clear of the officer’s pocket.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
past form of “tremble” — move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading If his hand had trembled, he would have been betrayed in an instant.
TUNNELverbUS /ˈtʌnəl/
move through by or as by digging
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading IN THE TUNNEL Slowly, so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move, Frank’s hand advanced until the fingers closed on the paper.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A fraction of an inch at a time, he drew the paper out until it was clear of the officer’s pocket.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But the experiences he had been through had steeled Frank’s nerves and his muscles worked with the precision of a machine.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But the experiences he had been through had steeled Frank’s nerves and his muscles worked with the precision of a machine.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If his hand had trembled, he would have been betrayed in an instant.
