used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “It was dark when we came about and we didn’t know our course then.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading “But what good does that do?” exclaimed the one addressed as Frank.
anew
From this reading “Flash the light on the compass again, Frank.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Let’s have another look!”
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “But what good does that do?” exclaimed the one addressed as Frank.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
a youthful male person
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “But what good does that do?” exclaimed the one addressed as Frank.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “It was dark when we came about and we didn’t know our course then.
centeredadjectiveUS /ˈsentərd/
being or placed in the center
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/
navigational instrument for finding directions
From this reading “Flash the light on the compass again, Frank.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading “It was dark when we came about and we didn’t know our course then.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading “It was dark when we came about and we didn’t know our course then.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It was dark when we came about and we didn’t know our course then.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “But what good does that do?” exclaimed the one addressed as Frank.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “But what good does that do?” exclaimed the one addressed as Frank.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “But what good does that do?” exclaimed the one addressed as Frank.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading “Flash the light on the compass again, Frank.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading “Flash the light on the compass again, Frank.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “But what good does that do?” exclaimed the one addressed as Frank.
hand-light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Let’s have another look!”
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It was dark when we came about and we didn’t know our course then.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “It was dark when we came about and we didn’t know our course then.
lad's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
Let's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let’s have another look!”
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading “Flash the light on the compass again, Frank.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Let’s have another look!”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Flash the light on the compass again, Frank.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “But what good does that do?” exclaimed the one addressed as Frank.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “It was dark when we came about and we didn’t know our course then.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
raynounUS /reɪ/
a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Instantly the ray of an electric hand-light shot over the shoulder of a boy and centered itself on a curiously arranged compass fixed between the lad’s feet.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “But what good does that do?” exclaimed the one addressed as Frank.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Flash the light on the compass again, Frank.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “It was dark when we came about and we didn’t know our course then.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It was dark when we came about and we didn’t know our course then.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “It was dark when we came about and we didn’t know our course then.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “But what good does that do?” exclaimed the one addressed as Frank.
at the time that
From this reading “It was dark when we came about and we didn’t know our course then.
