used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "What's coming off here?" demanded Frank, rubbing his eyes and gazing blankly about the hovel.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "What did you do that for?" asked Jack, edging newer to Frank.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
aroused or activated
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/
plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
blanklyadverbUS /ˈblæŋkli/
in a blank and uncomprehending manner
From this reading "What's coming off here?" demanded Frank, rubbing his eyes and gazing blankly about the hovel.
Bosworth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading "What's coming off here?" demanded Frank, rubbing his eyes and gazing blankly about the hovel.
cornfieldnounUS /ˈkɔːrnfiːld/
a field planted with corn
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
deftlyadverbUS /ˈdeftli/
with dexterity; in a dexterous manner
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading "What's coming off here?" demanded Frank, rubbing his eyes and gazing blankly about the hovel.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "What did you do that for?" asked Jack, edging newer to Frank.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What did you do that for?" asked Jack, edging newer to Frank.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
edgingnounUS /ˈedʒɪŋ/
border consisting of anything placed on the edge to finish something (such as a fringe on clothing or on a rug)
From this reading "What did you do that for?" asked Jack, edging newer to Frank.
opinion or judgment
From this reading "What's coming off here?" demanded Frank, rubbing his eyes and gazing blankly about the hovel.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "What did you do that for?" asked Jack, edging newer to Frank.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading "What's coming off here?" demanded Frank, rubbing his eyes and gazing blankly about the hovel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "What's coming off here?" demanded Frank, rubbing his eyes and gazing blankly about the hovel.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "What's coming off here?" demanded Frank, rubbing his eyes and gazing blankly about the hovel.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading "What kind of a hotel is this?"
hovelnounUS /ˈhʌvəl/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading "What's coming off here?" demanded Frank, rubbing his eyes and gazing blankly about the hovel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
industrynounUS /ˈɪndəstri/
the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise
From this reading "Why this midnight industry?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What kind of a hotel is this?"
a small worthless amount
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading "What kind of a hotel is this?"
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading "Why this midnight industry?
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
neweradjectiveUS /ˈnuːər/
comparative of “new” — not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading "What did you do that for?" asked Jack, edging newer to Frank.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "What's coming off here?" demanded Frank, rubbing his eyes and gazing blankly about the hovel.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
rubbingnounUS /ˈrʌbɪŋ/
the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another
From this reading "What's coming off here?" demanded Frank, rubbing his eyes and gazing blankly about the hovel.
shacknounUS /ʃæk/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
ShawnounUS /ʃɔː/
United States clarinetist and leader of a swing band (1910-2004)
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
suburbsnounUS /ˈsʌbərbz/
plural of “suburb” — a residential district located on the outskirts of a city
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "What did you do that for?" asked Jack, edging newer to Frank.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "What kind of a hotel is this?"
Tientsinnoun
a major industrial center in northeastern China on the Grand Canal near the Yellow Sea; 3rd largest city in China
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "What did you do that for?" asked Jack, edging newer to Frank.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What kind of a hotel is this?"
What's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What's coming off here?" demanded Frank, rubbing his eyes and gazing blankly about the hovel.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why this midnight industry?
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading NIGHT IN AN ANCIENT CITY Frank Shaw and Jack Bosworth, suddenly awakened from a sound sleep in the little mud shack in the cornfield, in the suburbs of Tientsin, were not a little astonished at finding themselves rolled deftly out of the blankets in which they had wrapped themselves before lying down.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What did you do that for?" asked Jack, edging newer to Frank.
