used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That, Biff knew, could be more than just a shower of spears.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The warriors themselves would be arriving next, with other weapons.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That, Biff knew, could be more than just a shower of spears.
BiffnounUS /bɪf/
(boxing) a blow with the fist
From this reading That, Biff knew, could be more than just a shower of spears.
Brewster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading That, Biff knew, could be more than just a shower of spears.
crackleverbUS /ˈkrækəl/
make a crackling sound
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
every person
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It happened though, that Nara had helped himself.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading It happened though, that Nara had helped himself.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading It happened though, that Nara had helped himself.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It happened though, that Nara had helped himself.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
and nothing more
From this reading That, Biff knew, could be more than just a shower of spears.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading That, Biff knew, could be more than just a shower of spears.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading That, Biff knew, could be more than just a shower of spears.
a form of address for a man
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
NaranounUS /ˈnɑːrə/
the independent agency that oversees management of federal government records including presidential libraries and historic collections
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
Nara's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The warriors themselves would be arriving next, with other weapons.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
and nothing more
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The warriors themselves would be arriving next, with other weapons.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
polenounUS /poʊl/
a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
except for; apart from
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
showernounUS /ˈʃaʊər/
a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading That, Biff knew, could be more than just a shower of spears.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
spearsnounUS /spɪrz/
plural of “spear” — a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
From this reading That, Biff knew, could be more than just a shower of spears.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading That, Biff knew, could be more than just a shower of spears.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That, Biff knew, could be more than just a shower of spears.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The warriors themselves would be arriving next, with other weapons.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It happened though, that Nara had helped himself.
thrustsnounUS /θrʌsts/
plural of “thrust” — the force used in pushing
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
warriorsnounUS /ˈwɔːriərz/
plural of “warrior” — someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading The warriors themselves would be arriving next, with other weapons.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading The warriors themselves would be arriving next, with other weapons.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the first crackle of Nara’s rifle, Mr. Brewster shouted, “Down everybody—and get ready for them!”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The warriors themselves would be arriving next, with other weapons.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only hope would be a few more pole thrusts, but while that might save some of the party, it wouldn’t help Joe Nara.
