used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Something clicked under his finger, and from one end of the cylinder emerged the folding blades of a portable fan.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Lydman replaced the instrument casually before strolling over to another table.
batterynounUS /ˈbætəri/
group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place
From this reading Lydman went on to a small cylinder somewhat larger than an old-fashioned battery flashlight.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Lydman replaced the instrument casually before strolling over to another table.
bladesnounUS /bleɪdz/
plural of “blade” — especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading Something clicked under his finger, and from one end of the cylinder emerged the folding blades of a portable fan.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
casuallyadverbUS /ˈkæʒəwəli/
not methodically or according to plan
From this reading Lydman replaced the instrument casually before strolling over to another table.
cigarettesnounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈets/
plural of “cigarette” — finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
clickedverbUS /klɪkt/
past form of “click” — move or strike with a noise
From this reading Something clicked under his finger, and from one end of the cylinder emerged the folding blades of a portable fan.
cylindernounUS /ˈsɪləndər/
a solid bounded by a cylindrical surface and two parallel planes (the bases)
From this reading Lydman went on to a small cylinder somewhat larger than an old-fashioned battery flashlight.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading Something clicked under his finger, and from one end of the cylinder emerged the folding blades of a portable fan.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Something clicked under his finger, and from one end of the cylinder emerged the folding blades of a portable fan.
fanverbUS /fæn/
strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)
From this reading Something clicked under his finger, and from one end of the cylinder emerged the folding blades of a portable fan.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading Something clicked under his finger, and from one end of the cylinder emerged the folding blades of a portable fan.
flashlightnounUS /ˈflæʃlaɪt/
a small portable battery-powered electric lamp
From this reading Lydman went on to a small cylinder somewhat larger than an old-fashioned battery flashlight.
foldingnounUS /ˈfoʊldɪŋ/
the process whereby a protein molecule assumes its intricate three-dimensional shape
From this reading Something clicked under his finger, and from one end of the cylinder emerged the folding blades of a portable fan.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Something clicked under his finger, and from one end of the cylinder emerged the folding blades of a portable fan.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Westervelt reminded himself never to grub one of those, just on general principles.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
grubnounUS /ɡrʌb/
informal terms for a meal
From this reading Westervelt reminded himself never to grub one of those, just on general principles.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Westervelt reminded himself never to grub one of those, just on general principles.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Something clicked under his finger, and from one end of the cylinder emerged the folding blades of a portable fan.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
inspectedverbUS /ˌɪnˈspektɪd/
past form of “inspect” — look over carefully
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading Lydman replaced the instrument casually before strolling over to another table.
and nothing more
From this reading Westervelt reminded himself never to grub one of those, just on general principles.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading Lydman went on to a small cylinder somewhat larger than an old-fashioned battery flashlight.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
Lydman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lydman replaced the instrument casually before strolling over to another table.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Westervelt reminded himself never to grub one of those, just on general principles.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading Lydman went on to a small cylinder somewhat larger than an old-fashioned battery flashlight.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Westervelt reminded himself never to grub one of those, just on general principles.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Westervelt reminded himself never to grub one of those, just on general principles.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Lydman replaced the instrument casually before strolling over to another table.
arrange in a container
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
portableadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrtəbəl/
easily or conveniently transported
From this reading Something clicked under his finger, and from one end of the cylinder emerged the folding blades of a portable fan.
principlesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəlz/
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading Westervelt reminded himself never to grub one of those, just on general principles.
past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading Westervelt reminded himself never to grub one of those, just on general principles.
replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/
past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
From this reading Lydman replaced the instrument casually before strolling over to another table.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Lydman went on to a small cylinder somewhat larger than an old-fashioned battery flashlight.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something clicked under his finger, and from one end of the cylinder emerged the folding blades of a portable fan.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Lydman went on to a small cylinder somewhat larger than an old-fashioned battery flashlight.
strollingverbUS /ˈstroʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading Lydman replaced the instrument casually before strolling over to another table.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Lydman replaced the instrument casually before strolling over to another table.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Lydman went on to a small cylinder somewhat larger than an old-fashioned battery flashlight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Lydman replaced the instrument casually before strolling over to another table.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Westervelt reminded himself never to grub one of those, just on general principles.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lydman replaced the instrument casually before strolling over to another table.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Something clicked under his finger, and from one end of the cylinder emerged the folding blades of a portable fan.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Lydman went on to a small cylinder somewhat larger than an old-fashioned battery flashlight.
Westervelt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Westervelt reminded himself never to grub one of those, just on general principles.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He inspected an open pack of cigarettes with a grim smile, but let them lie there in plain sight.
