used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This was a question that Tom never expected to have asked him by strangers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I mean," said the stranger, bending over and whispering the words to Tom, "what have you been doing that is contrary to law?"
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading This was a question that Tom never expected to have asked him by strangers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading "I mean," said the stranger, bending over and whispering the words to Tom, "what have you been doing that is contrary to law?"
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This was a question that Tom never expected to have asked him by strangers.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't understand you, sir," said Tom, starting involuntarily.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading This was a question that Tom never expected to have asked him by strangers.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This was a question that Tom never expected to have asked him by strangers.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
involuntarilyadverbUS /ˌɪnvoʊˈlʌntərɪli/
against your will
From this reading "I don't understand you, sir," said Tom, starting involuntarily.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading "I mean," said the stranger, bending over and whispering the words to Tom, "what have you been doing that is contrary to law?"
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading TOM'S LUCK.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "I mean," said the stranger, bending over and whispering the words to Tom, "what have you been doing that is contrary to law?"
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading This was a question that Tom never expected to have asked him by strangers.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "I mean," said the stranger, bending over and whispering the words to Tom, "what have you been doing that is contrary to law?"
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading This was a question that Tom never expected to have asked him by strangers.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I don't understand you, sir," said Tom, starting involuntarily.
express in words
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
Scribner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
term of address for a man
From this reading "I don't understand you, sir," said Tom, starting involuntarily.
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading "I don't understand you, sir," said Tom, starting involuntarily.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading "I mean," said the stranger, bending over and whispering the words to Tom, "what have you been doing that is contrary to law?"
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading This was a question that Tom never expected to have asked him by strangers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I mean," said the stranger, bending over and whispering the words to Tom, "what have you been doing that is contrary to law?"
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was a question that Tom never expected to have asked him by strangers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
male cat
From this reading "I don't understand you, sir," said Tom, starting involuntarily.
TOM'SnounUS /tɑːmz/
possessive form of “tom” — male cat
From this reading TOM'S LUCK.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading "I don't understand you, sir," said Tom, starting involuntarily.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was a question that Tom never expected to have asked him by strangers.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading "I mean," said the stranger, bending over and whispering the words to Tom, "what have you been doing that is contrary to law?"
the words that are spoken
From this reading "I mean," said the stranger, bending over and whispering the words to Tom, "what have you been doing that is contrary to law?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "I say, my young friend, what have you been doing that is contrary to Scribner?"
