used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Bat shook his head, and watched a cloud of white, thin smoke vanish in the air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "If it has any of the entertaining qualities of the other case," smiled the investigator, "I shall be greatly beholden to you."
ASHTON-KIRK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
ASKSverbUS /æsks/
third-person singular of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
BatnounUS /bæt/
nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
From this reading "This is the second little matter I've had to put up to you," said Bat Scanlon.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "If it has any of the entertaining qualities of the other case," smiled the investigator, "I shall be greatly beholden to you."
beholdenadjectiveUS /bɪˈhoʊldən/
under a moral obligation to someone
From this reading "If it has any of the entertaining qualities of the other case," smiled the investigator, "I shall be greatly beholden to you."
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
an occurrence of something
From this reading "If it has any of the entertaining qualities of the other case," smiled the investigator, "I shall be greatly beholden to you."
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
cigarsnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːrz/
plural of “cigar” — a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading Bat shook his head, and watched a cloud of white, thin smoke vanish in the air.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
entertainingadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnɪŋ/
agreeably diverting
From this reading "If it has any of the entertaining qualities of the other case," smiled the investigator, "I shall be greatly beholden to you."
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading "If it has any of the entertaining qualities of the other case," smiled the investigator, "I shall be greatly beholden to you."
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading "I hope it won't grow into a habit."
an established custom
From this reading "I hope it won't grow into a habit."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "If it has any of the entertaining qualities of the other case," smiled the investigator, "I shall be greatly beholden to you."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Bat shook his head, and watched a cloud of white, thin smoke vanish in the air.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading "I hope it won't grow into a habit."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I hope it won't grow into a habit."
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "This is the second little matter I've had to put up to you," said Bat Scanlon.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If it has any of the entertaining qualities of the other case," smiled the investigator, "I shall be greatly beholden to you."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "I hope it won't grow into a habit."
investigatornounUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtər/
a scientist who devotes himself to doing research
From this reading "If it has any of the entertaining qualities of the other case," smiled the investigator, "I shall be greatly beholden to you."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "This is the second little matter I've had to put up to you," said Bat Scanlon.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I hope it won't grow into a habit."
set afire or burning
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "This is the second little matter I've had to put up to you," said Bat Scanlon.
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "This is the second little matter I've had to put up to you," said Bat Scanlon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "If it has any of the entertaining qualities of the other case," smiled the investigator, "I shall be greatly beholden to you."
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading "This is the second little matter I've had to put up to you," said Bat Scanlon.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading "If it has any of the entertaining qualities of the other case," smiled the investigator, "I shall be greatly beholden to you."
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
restaurantnounUS /ˈrestərɑːnt/
a building where people go to eat
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "This is the second little matter I've had to put up to you," said Bat Scanlon.
Scanlon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "This is the second little matter I've had to put up to you," said Bat Scanlon.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading "This is the second little matter I've had to put up to you," said Bat Scanlon.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "If it has any of the entertaining qualities of the other case," smiled the investigator, "I shall be greatly beholden to you."
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Bat shook his head, and watched a cloud of white, thin smoke vanish in the air.
sippedverbUS /sɪpt/
inflected form of “sip” — drink in sips
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "If it has any of the entertaining qualities of the other case," smiled the investigator, "I shall be greatly beholden to you."
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Bat shook his head, and watched a cloud of white, thin smoke vanish in the air.
smokedadjectiveUS /smoʊkt/
(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Bat shook his head, and watched a cloud of white, thin smoke vanish in the air.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "This is the second little matter I've had to put up to you," said Bat Scanlon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "This is the second little matter I've had to put up to you," said Bat Scanlon.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "This is the second little matter I've had to put up to you," said Bat Scanlon.
vanishverbUS /ˈvænɪʃ/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading Bat shook his head, and watched a cloud of white, thin smoke vanish in the air.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Bat shook his head, and watched a cloud of white, thin smoke vanish in the air.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS Ashton-Kirk dismissed his car in front of a restaurant in the center of the city; he and his friend had luncheon in a quiet corner, then lighted cigars and smoked while they sipped their coffee.
a Caucasian
From this reading Bat shook his head, and watched a cloud of white, thin smoke vanish in the air.
won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I hope it won't grow into a habit."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "This is the second little matter I've had to put up to you," said Bat Scanlon.
