used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
(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 But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AT THE JAIL The rest of the evening following such an eventful day passed pleasantly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT THE JAIL The rest of the evening following such an eventful day passed pleasantly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
buzzingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌzɪŋ/
noisy like the sound of a bee
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He shrank from the hero worship likely to be called forth and decided to remain in the home circle.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
chatverbUS /tʃæt/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
cheatverbUS /tʃiːt/
deprive somebody of something by deceit
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading He shrank from the hero worship likely to be called forth and decided to remain in the home circle.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading AT THE JAIL The rest of the evening following such an eventful day passed pleasantly.
recognizable; marked
From this reading He shrank from the hero worship likely to be called forth and decided to remain in the home circle.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
a feeling of excitement
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading AT THE JAIL The rest of the evening following such an eventful day passed pleasantly.
eventfuladjectiveUS /ɪˈventfəl/
full of events or incidents
From this reading AT THE JAIL The rest of the evening following such an eventful day passed pleasantly.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
exploitverbUS /ˈeksplɔɪt/
use or manipulate to one's advantage
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading AT THE JAIL The rest of the evening following such an eventful day passed pleasantly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He shrank from the hero worship likely to be called forth and decided to remain in the home circle.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He shrank from the hero worship likely to be called forth and decided to remain in the home circle.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
an established custom
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading He shrank from the hero worship likely to be called forth and decided to remain in the home circle.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He shrank from the hero worship likely to be called forth and decided to remain in the home circle.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
JAILnounUS /dʒeɪl/
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading AT THE JAIL The rest of the evening following such an eventful day passed pleasantly.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading He shrank from the hero worship likely to be called forth and decided to remain in the home circle.
limelightnounUS /ˈlaɪmlaɪt/
a focus of public attention
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT THE JAIL The rest of the evening following such an eventful day passed pleasantly.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading AT THE JAIL The rest of the evening following such an eventful day passed pleasantly.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
pleasantlyadverbUS /ˈplezəntli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading AT THE JAIL The rest of the evening following such an eventful day passed pleasantly.
rehearseverbUS /riˈhɜːrs/
engage in a rehearsal
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading He shrank from the hero worship likely to be called forth and decided to remain in the home circle.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading AT THE JAIL The rest of the evening following such an eventful day passed pleasantly.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading He shrank from the hero worship likely to be called forth and decided to remain in the home circle.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
strollingverbUS /ˈstroʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading AT THE JAIL The rest of the evening following such an eventful day passed pleasantly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT THE JAIL The rest of the evening following such an eventful day passed pleasantly.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He shrank from the hero worship likely to be called forth and decided to remain in the home circle.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
troopingverbUS /ˈtruːpɪŋ/
-ing form of “troop” — march in a procession
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
under normal conditions
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
precisely as stated
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
at the time that
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading But he could not wholly cheat the village people of a chance to show their enthusiasm, and all that evening friends came trooping in, to rehearse the story of his exploit, so that it was very late when he finally was able to get to bed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Joe had usually been in the habit of strolling down town for a chat with his friends at the hotel.
love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol
From this reading He shrank from the hero worship likely to be called forth and decided to remain in the home circle.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But he knew that the whole town would be buzzing with the exciting adventure of the afternoon and that, if he made his appearance, he would be dragged into the center of the limelight.
