used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
matters of personal concern
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
amazedadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading Dave was quite as fully amazed and puzzled.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Dave was quite as fully amazed and puzzled.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading “What does that mean?” echoed Mr. King, in a truly astonished way.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
aviatornounUS /ˈeɪvieɪtər/
someone who operates an aircraft
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
complexionnounUS /kəmˈplekʃən/
the coloring of a person's face
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
Dave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dave was quite as fully amazed and puzzled.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “What does that mean?” echoed Mr. King, in a truly astonished way.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading “What does that mean?” echoed Mr. King, in a truly astonished way.
excitableadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtəbəl/
easily excited
From this reading “Hello!” gasped the excitable Hiram.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Dave was quite as fully amazed and puzzled.
past form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading “Hello!” gasped the excitable Hiram.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
HellonounUS /həˈloʊ/
an expression of greeting
From this reading “Hello!” gasped the excitable Hiram.
Hiram
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Hello!” gasped the excitable Hiram.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading “What does that mean?” echoed Mr. King, in a truly astonished way.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading “What does that mean?” echoed Mr. King, in a truly astonished way.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “What does that mean?” echoed Mr. King, in a truly astonished way.
of an obscure nature
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading Dave was quite as fully amazed and puzzled.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Dave was quite as fully amazed and puzzled.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “What does that mean?” echoed Mr. King, in a truly astonished way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading “What does that mean?” echoed Mr. King, in a truly astonished way.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dave was quite as fully amazed and puzzled.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “What does that mean?” echoed Mr. King, in a truly astonished way.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What does that mean?” echoed Mr. King, in a truly astonished way.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
