used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
adjustedadjectiveUS /əˈdʒʌstɪd/
altered to accommodate to certain requirements or bring into a proper relation
From this reading He hastily adjusted the clamp that held the receiver to his ear, and at the first few words of the message his heart leapt with excitement.
aerialnounUS /ˈeriəl/
a pass to a receiver downfield from the passer
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Suddenly, however, the sounder began to click in a most unusual fashion.
Bert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
Bert's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
clampverbUS /klæmp/
fasten or fix with a clamp
From this reading He hastily adjusted the clamp that held the receiver to his ear, and at the first few words of the message his heart leapt with excitement.
clickverbUS /klɪk/
move or strike with a noise
From this reading Suddenly, however, the sounder began to click in a most unusual fashion.
clicksnounUS /klɪks/
plural of “click” — a short light metallic sound
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
deaderadjectiveUS /ˈdedər/
comparative of “dead” — no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
someone who is a detective
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
erraticadjectiveUS /ɪˈrætɪk/
liable to sudden unpredictable change
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He hastily adjusted the clamp that held the receiver to his ear, and at the first few words of the message his heart leapt with excitement.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He hastily adjusted the clamp that held the receiver to his ear, and at the first few words of the message his heart leapt with excitement.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
the act of departing
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading He hastily adjusted the clamp that held the receiver to his ear, and at the first few words of the message his heart leapt with excitement.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He hastily adjusted the clamp that held the receiver to his ear, and at the first few words of the message his heart leapt with excitement.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He hastily adjusted the clamp that held the receiver to his ear, and at the first few words of the message his heart leapt with excitement.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Suddenly, however, the sounder began to click in a most unusual fashion.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
leaptverbUS /lept/
inflected form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading He hastily adjusted the clamp that held the receiver to his ear, and at the first few words of the message his heart leapt with excitement.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
mid-afternoon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Suddenly, however, the sounder began to click in a most unusual fashion.
nailverbUS /neɪl/
attach something somewhere by means of nails
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
information about recent and important events
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
not any; not one
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
and nothing more
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
the time that has elapsed
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
pathwaysnounUS /ˈpæθweɪz/
plural of “pathway” — a bundle of myelinated nerve fibers following a path through the brain
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
a human being
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
receivernounUS /rəˈsiːvər/
set that receives radio or tv signals
From this reading He hastily adjusted the clamp that held the receiver to his ear, and at the first few words of the message his heart leapt with excitement.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
soundernounUS /ˈsaʊndər/
a device for making soundings
From this reading Suddenly, however, the sounder began to click in a most unusual fashion.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly, however, the sounder began to click in a most unusual fashion.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
TIGERnounUS /ˈtaɪɡər/
a fierce or audacious person
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For several days past, practically no news of any interest had come in over the invisible aerial pathways, and as he had said to Dick only a short time before, "everything was deader than a door nail."
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading Suddenly, however, the sounder began to click in a most unusual fashion.
precisely as stated
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE TIGER AT BAY One day, about mid-afternoon, Bert was going through his duties in a more or less mechanical fashion, for the day had been warm, and he had been on duty since early morning.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The clicks were very erratic, quick, and short, and to Bert's experienced ear it was apparent that the person sending the message was in a state of great excitement.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He hastily adjusted the clamp that held the receiver to his ear, and at the first few words of the message his heart leapt with excitement.
the words that are spoken
From this reading He hastily adjusted the clamp that held the receiver to his ear, and at the first few words of the message his heart leapt with excitement.
