used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
allegedadjectiveUS /əˈledʒd/
declared but not proved
From this reading Besides, the alleged priests had mapped out this scene before the arrival of the boys, as Ned believed.
in addition
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
eagerly desirous
From this reading He was not uninterested, but he was anxious.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading Besides, the alleged priests had mapped out this scene before the arrival of the boys, as Ned believed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Besides, the alleged priests had mapped out this scene before the arrival of the boys, as Ned believed.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Besides, the alleged priests had mapped out this scene before the arrival of the boys, as Ned believed.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, the alleged priests had mapped out this scene before the arrival of the boys, as Ned believed.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Besides, the alleged priests had mapped out this scene before the arrival of the boys, as Ned believed.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was not uninterested, but he was anxious.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
plural of “call” — a telephone connection
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
DIPLOMATnounUS /ˈdɪpləmæt/
an official engaged in international negotiations
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
fakenounUS /feɪk/
something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
grovenounUS /ɡroʊv/
a small growth of trees without underbrush
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not uninterested, but he was anxious.
hewnadjectiveUS /hjuːn/
cut or shaped with hard blows of a heavy cutting instrument like an ax or chisel
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
held up in the air
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
mappedverbUS /mæpt/
inflected form of “map” — make a map of; show or establish the features of details of
From this reading Besides, the alleged priests had mapped out this scene before the arrival of the boys, as Ned believed.
the force of workers available
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
mysticsnounUS /ˈmɪstɪks/
plural of “mystic” — someone who believes in the existence of realities beyond human comprehension
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
absolutely essential
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not uninterested, but he was anxious.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Besides, the alleged priests had mapped out this scene before the arrival of the boys, as Ned believed.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
priestsnounUS /priːsts/
plural of “priest” — a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading Besides, the alleged priests had mapped out this scene before the arrival of the boys, as Ned believed.
robesnounUS /roʊbz/
plural of “robe” — any loose flowing garment
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Besides, the alleged priests had mapped out this scene before the arrival of the boys, as Ned believed.
slate-colored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Besides, the alleged priests had mapped out this scene before the arrival of the boys, as Ned believed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
uninterestedadjectiveUS /əˈnɪntrəstɪd/
not having or showing interest
From this reading He was not uninterested, but he was anxious.
VANISHINGnounUS /ˈvænɪʃɪŋ/
a sudden or mysterious disappearance
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not uninterested, but he was anxious.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
in or at the place that
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were now some distance from the grove in which the camp breakfast had been prepared, and the grove, in turn, was some distance from the highway.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading A VANISHING DIPLOMAT Ned turned to the Captain as the men in slate-colored robes lifted their hands after the manner of fake mystics the world over.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They were also some feet under ground, where any calls for assistance that might be necessary would be muffled by the hewn stone and the damp air and earth.
