used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Malcolm put his finger to his lips as Ronald was about to utter an exclamation of joy.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Malcolm put his finger to his lips as Ronald was about to utter an exclamation of joy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
appetitenounUS /ˈæpətaɪt/
a feeling of craving something
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Malcolm put his finger to his lips as Ronald was about to utter an exclamation of joy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So saying, he took up one of the lumps of bread and began to ear, securing at the same time the pellet of paper.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "We can't be too careful," he said in a whisper.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading So saying, he took up one of the lumps of bread and began to ear, securing at the same time the pellet of paper.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading So saying, he took up one of the lumps of bread and began to ear, securing at the same time the pellet of paper.
terminate
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We can't be too careful," he said in a whisper.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading "We can't be too careful," he said in a whisper.
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading So saying, he took up one of the lumps of bread and began to ear, securing at the same time the pellet of paper.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading Malcolm put his finger to his lips as Ronald was about to utter an exclamation of joy.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading Malcolm put his finger to his lips as Ronald was about to utter an exclamation of joy.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
at or to or toward the front
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Malcolm put his finger to his lips as Ronald was about to utter an exclamation of joy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
jailernounUS /ˈdʒeɪlər/
someone who guards prisoners
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Malcolm put his finger to his lips as Ronald was about to utter an exclamation of joy.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Malcolm put his finger to his lips as Ronald was about to utter an exclamation of joy.
loafnounUS /loʊf/
a shaped mass of baked bread that is usually sliced before eating
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
lumpsnounUS /lʌmps/
plural of “lump” — a compact mass
From this reading So saying, he took up one of the lumps of bread and began to ear, securing at the same time the pellet of paper.
Malcolm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Malcolm put his finger to his lips as Ronald was about to utter an exclamation of joy.
mealsnounUS /miːlz/
plural of “meal” — the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
One's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
pelletnounUS /ˈpelət/
a small sphere
From this reading So saying, he took up one of the lumps of bread and began to ear, securing at the same time the pellet of paper.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Malcolm put his finger to his lips as Ronald was about to utter an exclamation of joy.
Ronald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Malcolm put his finger to his lips as Ronald was about to utter an exclamation of joy.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "We can't be too careful," he said in a whisper.
Identical; not different.
From this reading So saying, he took up one of the lumps of bread and began to ear, securing at the same time the pellet of paper.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading So saying, he took up one of the lumps of bread and began to ear, securing at the same time the pellet of paper.
securingverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading So saying, he took up one of the lumps of bread and began to ear, securing at the same time the pellet of paper.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So saying, he took up one of the lumps of bread and began to ear, securing at the same time the pellet of paper.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
very small
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "We can't be too careful," he said in a whisper.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading So saying, he took up one of the lumps of bread and began to ear, securing at the same time the pellet of paper.
trampingverbUS /ˈtræmpɪŋ/
-ing form of “tramp” — travel on foot, especially on a walking expedition
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading So saying, he took up one of the lumps of bread and began to ear, securing at the same time the pellet of paper.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading Malcolm put his finger to his lips as Ronald was about to utter an exclamation of joy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Malcolm put his finger to his lips as Ronald was about to utter an exclamation of joy.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "One's appetite is not as good here as it was when we were tramping the hills, Ronald; but one looks forward to one's meals; they form a break in the time."
at the time that
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading "We can't be too careful," he said in a whisper.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Two days later when the jailer brought in breakfast to their cell he dropped on the table by the side of the loaf a tiny ball of paper, and then without a word went out and locked the back door.
