used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CHALLENGE Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
absorbedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbd/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly face.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly face.
any thing at all
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
apprehensivelyadverb
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading THE CHALLENGE Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
blood-curdling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
boredadjectiveUS /bɔːrd/
tired of the world
From this reading THE CHALLENGE Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading THE CHALLENGE Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
chainsnounUS /tʃeɪnz/
metal shackles; for hands or legs
From this reading Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
CHALLENGEverbUS /ˈtʃæləndʒ/
take exception to
From this reading THE CHALLENGE Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
clankingadjectiveUS /ˈklæŋkɪŋ/
having a hard nonresonant metallic sound
From this reading Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
complainverbUS /kəmˈpleɪn/
express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
From this reading THE CHALLENGE Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE CHALLENGE Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
Dave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHALLENGE Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
describingverbUS /dɪˈskraɪbɪŋ/
-ing form of “describe” — give a description of
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
emittedverbUS /ɪˈmɪtəd/
inflected form of “emit” — expel (gases or odors)
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
divisible by two
From this reading Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly face.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly face.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
happieradjectiveUS /ˈhæpiər/
comparative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly face.
Hollis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly face.
imaginationsnounUS /ˌɪmædʒəˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “imagination” — the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
indifferentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading THE CHALLENGE Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
intenselyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtensli/
to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
and nothing more
From this reading Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly face.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly face.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly face.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE CHALLENGE Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CHALLENGE Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly face.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE CHALLENGE Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
cut with a saw
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
Shorty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly face.
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 Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
sunkenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌŋkən/
having a sunken area
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHALLENGE Dave certainly could not complain of a bored or indifferent audience.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
thrillingadjectiveUS /ˈθrɪlɪŋ/
causing a surge of emotion or excitement
From this reading Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
wailings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dave had just reached the most thrilling part of his story, and in their imaginations the boys could hear the wailings of the ghost and the clanking of his chains.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly face.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
at the time that
From this reading He was always intensely interested in anything the boys said or did, and was never happier than when he saw that they were especially enjoying themselves.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Even Mr. Hollis was absorbed and listened with a smile on his kindly face.
yellnounUS /jel/
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading He was describing the awful appearance of its sunken fiery eyes, when Shorty happened to glance apprehensively around and immediately emitted a blood-curdling yell.
