used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
attiredadjectiveUS /əˈtaɪrd/
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
badgenounUS /bædʒ/
an emblem (a small piece of plastic or cloth or metal) that signifies your status (rank or membership or affiliation etc.)
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
Bobs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one panicky moment Bobs wondered whether she should tell that she was a detective.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔːrəs/
any utterance produced simultaneously by a group
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
well in the past; former
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading For one panicky moment Bobs wondered whether she should tell that she was a detective.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
directornounUS /dərˈektər/
someone who controls resources and expenditures
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
flashilyadverb
in a meretricious manner
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For one panicky moment Bobs wondered whether she should tell that she was a detective.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
a quick look
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
ingratiatinglyadverb
in a flattering and ingratiating manner
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
interfereverbUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪr/
come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
ma'amnounUS /mæm/
a woman of refinement
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
come together
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
a particular point in time
From this reading For one panicky moment Bobs wondered whether she should tell that she was a detective.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
oilyadjectiveUS /ˈɔɪli/
containing an unusual amount of grease or oil
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For one panicky moment Bobs wondered whether she should tell that she was a detective.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
panickyadjectiveUS /ˈpænɪki/
thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation
From this reading For one panicky moment Bobs wondered whether she should tell that she was a detective.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
projectingadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
Roberta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
Roberta's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
RubbingnounUS /ˈrʌbɪŋ/
the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
scenerynounUS /ˈsiːnəri/
the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For one panicky moment Bobs wondered whether she should tell that she was a detective.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading For one panicky moment Bobs wondered whether she should tell that she was a detective.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
smoothnessnounUS /ˈsmuːðnəs/
a texture without roughness; smooth to the touch
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
carry out
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
express in words
From this reading For one panicky moment Bobs wondered whether she should tell that she was a detective.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For one panicky moment Bobs wondered whether she should tell that she was a detective.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The alert little man, however, did not need to be told, for he had caught a glimpse of Roberta's badge when a projecting bit of scenery had for a moment pulled at her coat.
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
usherverbUS /ˈʌʃər/
take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For one panicky moment Bobs wondered whether she should tell that she was a detective.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
at the time that
From this reading When they were behind the scenes, a short, flashily attired man advanced to meet Roberta and the usher departed.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading For one panicky moment Bobs wondered whether she should tell that she was a detective.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
wishingnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪŋ/
a specific feeling of desire
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading For one panicky moment Bobs wondered whether she should tell that she was a detective.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Would the director wish her to interfere with his plans, as she undoubtedly would be doing were she to take from him one of his chorus girls?
you're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rubbing his hands, and smiling ingratiatingly, he said in a voice of oily smoothness: "Is it one of our girls, ma'am, that you're wishing to see?"
