used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AN INITIATION Hardly appreciating Bart's explanation, his chums set off after him.
alleynounUS /ˈæli/
a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INITIATION Hardly appreciating Bart's explanation, his chums set off after him.
appreciatingverbUS /əˈpriːʃieɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “appreciate” — recognize with gratitude; be grateful for
From this reading AN INITIATION Hardly appreciating Bart's explanation, his chums set off after him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
BartnounUS /bɑːrt/
a member of the British order of honor; ranks below a baron but above a knight
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
Bart'snounUS /bɑːrts/
possessive form of “bart” — a member of the British order of honor; ranks below a baron but above a knight
From this reading AN INITIATION Hardly appreciating Bart's explanation, his chums set off after him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
chumsnounUS /tʃʌmz/
plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading AN INITIATION Hardly appreciating Bart's explanation, his chums set off after him.
contestnounUS /ˈkɑːntest/
an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Down the moonlit street they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty night.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading AN INITIATION Hardly appreciating Bart's explanation, his chums set off after him.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Down the moonlit street they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty night.
frostyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːsti/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading Down the moonlit street they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty night.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading "He's given us the slip."
a quick look
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
only a very short time before
From this reading AN INITIATION Hardly appreciating Bart's explanation, his chums set off after him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
He's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He's given us the slip."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading AN INITIATION Hardly appreciating Bart's explanation, his chums set off after him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AN INITIATION Hardly appreciating Bart's explanation, his chums set off after him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
INITIATIONnounUS /ˌɪnɪʃiˈeɪʃən/
a formal entry into an organization or position or office
From this reading AN INITIATION Hardly appreciating Bart's explanation, his chums set off after him.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
moonlitadjectiveUS /ˈmuːnlɪt/
lighted by moonlight
From this reading Down the moonlit street they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty night.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Down the moonlit street they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty night.
not any; not one
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading AN INITIATION Hardly appreciating Bart's explanation, his chums set off after him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Down the moonlit street they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty night.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Down the moonlit street they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty night.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading Down the moonlit street they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty night.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading AN INITIATION Hardly appreciating Bart's explanation, his chums set off after him.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
move stealthily
From this reading "He's given us the slip."
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading Down the moonlit street they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty night.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Down the moonlit street they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Down the moonlit street they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty night.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Down the moonlit street they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty night.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Down the moonlit street they sped, their footsteps ringing out on the frosty night.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "He's given us the slip."
the act of using
From this reading "I guess it's no use," remarked the leader, pulling up as he peered down a deserted alley.
which person or people
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But though they could not have been far behind the man who had engaged in the shooting contest with Bart, they caught no glimpse of him.
