used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The chief satisfaction that Tony got out of the incident, after the pleasure of thrashing a bully, was his talk with the Head on the subject.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
brutallyadverbUS /ˈbruːtəli/
in a vicious manner
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
bullynounUS /ˈbʊli/
a cruel and brutal fellow
From this reading The chief satisfaction that Tony got out of the incident, after the pleasure of thrashing a bully, was his talk with the Head on the subject.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
a person who is in charge
From this reading The chief satisfaction that Tony got out of the incident, after the pleasure of thrashing a bully, was his talk with the Head on the subject.
without stop or interruption
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
make right or correct
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
doggedadjectiveUS /dɔːɡd/
stubbornly unyielding
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
FinchnounUS /fɪntʃ/
any of numerous small songbirds with short stout bills adapted for crushing seeds
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
GATINGverbUS /ˈɡeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “gate” — supply with a gate
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The chief satisfaction that Tony got out of the incident, after the pleasure of thrashing a bully, was his talk with the Head on the subject.
grudgenounUS /ɡrʌdʒ/
a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The chief satisfaction that Tony got out of the incident, after the pleasure of thrashing a bully, was his talk with the Head on the subject.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
ill-will
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
a single distinct event
From this reading The chief satisfaction that Tony got out of the incident, after the pleasure of thrashing a bully, was his talk with the Head on the subject.
interrogatedverbUS /ˌɪnˈterəɡeɪtɪd/
past form of “interrogate” — transmit (a signal) for setting off an appropriate response, as in telecommunication
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The story was told, though no one knew whence it originated.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
KitnounUS /kɪt/
a case for containing a set of articles
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
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 The story was told, though no one knew whence it originated.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
not any; not one
From this reading The story was told, though no one knew whence it originated.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
nursedadjectiveUS /nɜːrst/
(of an infant) breast-fed
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The story was told, though no one knew whence it originated.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
originatedverbUS /ərˈɪdʒəneɪtəd/
past form of “originate” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading The story was told, though no one knew whence it originated.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The chief satisfaction that Tony got out of the incident, after the pleasure of thrashing a bully, was his talk with the Head on the subject.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading The chief satisfaction that Tony got out of the incident, after the pleasure of thrashing a bully, was his talk with the Head on the subject.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading The chief satisfaction that Tony got out of the incident, after the pleasure of thrashing a bully, was his talk with the Head on the subject.
an educational institution
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
slyadjectiveUS /slaɪ/
marked by skill in deception
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The story was told, though no one knew whence it originated.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The chief satisfaction that Tony got out of the incident, after the pleasure of thrashing a bully, was his talk with the Head on the subject.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The chief satisfaction that Tony got out of the incident, after the pleasure of thrashing a bully, was his talk with the Head on the subject.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
themenounUS /θiːm/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
ThorntonnounUS /ˈθɔːrntən/
American architect (1759-1828)
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
Thornton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The story was told, though no one knew whence it originated.
thrashingnounUS /ˈθræʃɪŋ/
a sound defeat
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The story was told, though no one knew whence it originated.
Tony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
tortureverbUS /ˈtɔːrtʃər/
torment emotionally or mentally
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
versionnounUS /ˈvɜːrʒən/
an interpretation of a matter from a particular viewpoint
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A GATING AND A GAME For the next few days Thornton’s thrashing was the principal theme of the school talk.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
at the time that
From this reading Thornton and his friends kept themselves in the background for a week or so, but nursed their grudge with the dogged determination of ill-will, and when occasion offered continued to torture Finch on the sly, but not so brutally.
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading The story was told, though no one knew whence it originated.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Tony and Kit dismissed it with a laugh or an exclamation, but Finch, interrogated on all hands, gave a correct version.
