used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
admitsverbUS /ədˈmɪts/
third-person singular of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "There, Mr. Cleek," resumed the Captain, after he could master his emotion.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
any thing at all
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
in a state of sleep
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
AustralianounUS /ɔːˈstreɪljə/
a nation occupying the whole of the Australian continent; Aboriginal tribes are thought to have migrated from southeastern Asia 20,000 years ago; first Europeans were British convicts sent there as a penal colony
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
a youthful male person
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "There, Mr. Cleek," resumed the Captain, after he could master his emotion.
an occurrence of something
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
cat'snounUS /kæts/
possessive form of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
Cleek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There, Mr. Cleek," resumed the Captain, after he could master his emotion.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
Comstock's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "There, Mr. Cleek," resumed the Captain, after he could master his emotion.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
any strong feeling
From this reading "There, Mr. Cleek," resumed the Captain, after he could master his emotion.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
a boy or man
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
footfallnounUS /ˈfʊtfɔːl/
the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
Harmstead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "There, Mr. Cleek," resumed the Captain, after he could master his emotion.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
heavieradjectiveUS /ˈheviər/
comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "There, Mr. Cleek," resumed the Captain, after he could master his emotion.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
and nothing more
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
the act of departing
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
engage in
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
maraudersnounUS /mərˈɔːdərz/
plural of “marauder” — someone who attacks in search of booty
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading "There, Mr. Cleek," resumed the Captain, after he could master his emotion.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "There, Mr. Cleek," resumed the Captain, after he could master his emotion.
of an obscure nature
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
and nothing more
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
an amount of time
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
prayingverbUS /ˈpreɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “pray” — address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading "There, Mr. Cleek," resumed the Captain, after he could master his emotion.
riddleverbUS /ˈrɪdəl/
pierce with many holes
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
tendedverbUS /ˈtendɪd/
past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "There, Mr. Cleek," resumed the Captain, after he could master his emotion.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "There, Mr. Cleek," resumed the Captain, after he could master his emotion.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
two times
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
wakesnounUS /weɪks/
plural of “wake” — the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event)
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
at the time that
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
in or at the place that
From this reading What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows.
wildsnounUS /waɪldz/
plural of “wild” — a wild primitive state untouched by civilization
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning.
a late time of life
From this reading He admits, however, that twice during that period he fell asleep, but it was only for a few minutes each time; and long years of being constantly alert for possible marauders--out there in the wilds of Australia--have tended to make his sleep so light that anything heavier than a cat's footfall wakes him on the instant.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "That is the case--that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve.
