used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading Not greatly gifted in speech, he was nevertheless sufficiently prompt in action.
matters of personal concern
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
without stop or interruption
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
controllingadjectiveUS /kənˈtroʊlɪŋ/
able to control or determine policy
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
dancernounUS /ˈdænsər/
a performer who dances professionally
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
without deviation
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
opinion or judgment
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
f-f-feller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "W-who is the f-f-feller?" he questioned gruffly.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
a long fixed look
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
giftedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪftəd/
endowed with talent or talents
From this reading Not greatly gifted in speech, he was nevertheless sufficiently prompt in action.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Not greatly gifted in speech, he was nevertheless sufficiently prompt in action.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
grufflyadverbUS /ˈɡrʌfli/
in a gruff manner
From this reading "W-who is the f-f-feller?" he questioned gruffly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
HALF-CONFIDENCES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
hazenounUS /heɪz/
atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
identitynounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/
the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
impulsiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpʌlsɪv/
proceeding from natural feeling or impulse without external stimulus
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
indulgedverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒd/
past form of “indulge” — give free rein to
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "W-who is the f-f-feller?" he questioned gruffly.
jawverbUS /dʒɔː/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
engage in
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
manifestationsnounUS /ˌmænəfeˈsteɪʃənz/
plural of “manifestation” — a clear appearance
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
MexicannounUS /ˈmeksəkən/
a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
negligentlyadverbUS /ˈneɡlɪdʒəntli/
in a negligent manner
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
easily agitated
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Not greatly gifted in speech, he was nevertheless sufficiently prompt in action.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
not any; not one
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not greatly gifted in speech, he was nevertheless sufficiently prompt in action.
obscuringverbUS /əbsˈkjʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
promptverbUS /prɑːmpt/
give an incentive for action
From this reading Not greatly gifted in speech, he was nevertheless sufficiently prompt in action.
questionedverbUS /ˈkwestʃənd/
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading "W-who is the f-f-feller?" he questioned gruffly.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading Not greatly gifted in speech, he was nevertheless sufficiently prompt in action.
make square
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
StutterverbUS /ˈstʌtər/
speak haltingly
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading Not greatly gifted in speech, he was nevertheless sufficiently prompt in action.
moving very fast
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes growing angry, his square jaw set firm.
unlikeadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪk/
marked by dissimilarity
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
W-who
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "W-who is the f-f-feller?" he questioned gruffly.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not greatly gifted in speech, he was nevertheless sufficiently prompt in action.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading HALF-CONFIDENCES Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
which person or people
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the farther wall.
