used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
(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 It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading III Nellie was off as she gave the word.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading “Beat it!” cried Nellie.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
Burgess's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
convictnounUS /ˈkɑːnvɪkt/
a person serving a sentence in a jail or prison
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “Beat it!” cried Nellie.
cross-alley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
dodgedverbUS /dɑːdʒd/
past form of “dodge” — make a sudden movement in a new direction so as to avoid
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
DrakenounUS /dreɪk/
English explorer and admiral who was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe and who helped to defeat the Spanish Armada (1540-1596)
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
divisible by two
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
gaitnounUS /ɡeɪt/
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading III Nellie was off as she gave the word.
a young female
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
IIInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading III Nellie was off as she gave the word.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
incredibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkredəbəl/
beyond belief or understanding
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Beat it!” cried Nellie.
conformity or harmony
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
full of life and energy
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
most important element
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
narroweradjectiveUS /ˈneroʊər/
comparative of “narrow” — not wide
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
Nellie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Beat it!” cried Nellie.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading III Nellie was off as she gave the word.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
predicamentnounUS /prɪˈdɪkəmənt/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
primeadjectiveUS /praɪm/
first in rank or degree
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading III Nellie was off as she gave the word.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
sprintedverbUS /ˈsprɪntɪd/
past form of “sprint” — run very fast, usually for a short distance
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
swiftnessnounUS /ˈswɪftnəs/
a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading III Nellie was off as she gave the word.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
thoroughfarenounUS /ˈθɜːroʊfer/
a public road from one place to another
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
having passed out of existence
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading III Nellie was off as she gave the word.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading It was in Burgess’s mind that it was of prime importance that Drake should escape--it was to aid the former convict that he had involved himself in this predicament; and even if the wedding had to be abandoned and the girl left behind it was better than for them all to be caught.
well-beaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading III Nellie was off as she gave the word.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading They struck a well-beaten cross-alley--a main thoroughfare of the yard--and sprinted off at a lively gait.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He was keeping as close as possible to Bob, but the young man ran with incredible swiftness; and he now dodged into one of the narrower paths and vanished.
