used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before he obtained a definite impression of the person, the figure had ducked back into the bushes.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
anew
From this reading “Show the scene again,” they begged Mr. Holloway.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it through at slow speed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it through at slow speed.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Before he obtained a definite impression of the person, the figure had ducked back into the bushes.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before he obtained a definite impression of the person, the figure had ducked back into the bushes.
inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading “Show the scene again,” they begged Mr. Holloway.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Before he obtained a definite impression of the person, the figure had ducked back into the bushes.
catchingnounUS /ˈkætʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team
From this reading “There he is!” suddenly exclaimed Dan, catching the first glimpse of the unfamiliar face in the scene.
CubsnounUS /kʌbz/
plural of “cub” — an awkward and inexperienced youth
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
DadnounUS /dæd/
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it through at slow speed.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There he is!” suddenly exclaimed Dan, catching the first glimpse of the unfamiliar face in the scene.
Dan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading Before he obtained a definite impression of the person, the figure had ducked back into the bushes.
DennounUS /den/
the habitation of wild animals
From this reading The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it through at slow speed.
duckedverbUS /dʌkt/
past form of “duck” — to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away
From this reading Before he obtained a definite impression of the person, the figure had ducked back into the bushes.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “There he is!” suddenly exclaimed Dan, catching the first glimpse of the unfamiliar face in the scene.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading “There he is!” suddenly exclaimed Dan, catching the first glimpse of the unfamiliar face in the scene.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Before he obtained a definite impression of the person, the figure had ducked back into the bushes.
filmnounUS /fɪlm/
a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “There he is!” suddenly exclaimed Dan, catching the first glimpse of the unfamiliar face in the scene.
a quick look
From this reading “There he is!” suddenly exclaimed Dan, catching the first glimpse of the unfamiliar face in the scene.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before he obtained a definite impression of the person, the figure had ducked back into the bushes.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “There he is!” suddenly exclaimed Dan, catching the first glimpse of the unfamiliar face in the scene.
Holloway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Show the scene again,” they begged Mr. Holloway.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Before he obtained a definite impression of the person, the figure had ducked back into the bushes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it through at slow speed.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “There he is!” suddenly exclaimed Dan, catching the first glimpse of the unfamiliar face in the scene.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it through at slow speed.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it through at slow speed.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “Show the scene again,” they begged Mr. Holloway.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading Before he obtained a definite impression of the person, the figure had ducked back into the bushes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
a human being
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
projectionnounUS /prəˈdʒekʃən/
a prediction made by extrapolating from past observations
From this reading The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it through at slow speed.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it through at slow speed.
re-threaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it through at slow speed.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading “Show the scene again,” they begged Mr. Holloway.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading “Show the scene again,” they begged Mr. Holloway.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it through at slow speed.
move hurridly
From this reading The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it through at slow speed.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading “There he is!” suddenly exclaimed Dan, catching the first glimpse of the unfamiliar face in the scene.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dan’s observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the film greatly excited the other Cubs.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “There he is!” suddenly exclaimed Dan, catching the first glimpse of the unfamiliar face in the scene.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Show the scene again,” they begged Mr. Holloway.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it through at slow speed.
unfamiliaradjectiveUS /ˌʌnfəˈmɪljər/
not known or well known
From this reading “There he is!” suddenly exclaimed Dan, catching the first glimpse of the unfamiliar face in the scene.
