used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading "What has happened to you? has there been an accident?
AIR-SHAFT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
eagerly desirous
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "What has happened to you? has there been an accident?
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
the formal act of approving
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
bruisedverbUS /bruːzd/
past form of “bruise” — injure the underlying soft tissue or bone of
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
calculatedadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪd/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
coal-dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
coatless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
DerricknounUS /ˈderɪk/
a framework erected over an oil well to allow drill tubes to be raised and lowered
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
to come or go into
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Why, Derrick!" she exclaimed, the moment she made sure that it was really he.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading "What has happened to you? has there been an accident?
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What has happened to you? has there been an accident?
Hatlessadjective
not wearing a hat
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Why, Derrick!" she exclaimed, the moment she made sure that it was really he.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
and nothing more
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
a boy or man
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading "Why, Derrick!" she exclaimed, the moment she made sure that it was really he.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
a particular point in time
From this reading "Why, Derrick!" she exclaimed, the moment she made sure that it was really he.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
PLUNGEverbUS /plʌndʒ/
thrust or throw into
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "Why, Derrick!" she exclaimed, the moment she made sure that it was really he.
cut with a saw
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
a male human offspring
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
SterlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrlɪŋ/
highest in quality
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "Why, Derrick!" she exclaimed, the moment she made sure that it was really he.
swollenadjectiveUS /ˈswoʊlən/
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "What has happened to you? has there been an accident?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
unrecognizableadjectiveUS /ənˌrekəɡˈnaɪzəbəl/
defying recognition as e.g. because of damage or alteration
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
precisely as stated
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an exclamation from an anxious mother.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
which person or people
From this reading THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to enter the house.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why, Derrick!" she exclaimed, the moment she made sure that it was really he.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hatless and coatless, his face bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a more striking contrast to the clean, cheerful lad whom she had sent down into the mine with a kiss and a blessing that very morning.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What has happened to you? has there been an accident?
