used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
ash-trays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
brought into existence
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
brazenadjectiveUS /ˈbreɪzən/
unrestrained by convention or propriety
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
lacking funds
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
buttsnounUS /bʌts/
plural of “butt” — thick end of the handle
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
cacklingverbUS /ˈkækəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “cackle” — talk or utter in a cackling manner
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
cigarettenounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈet/
finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
club'snounUS /klʌbz/
possessive form of “club” — a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
cocktail-glasses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
placed crosswise
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
drainedadjectiveUS /dreɪnd/
emptied or exhausted of (as by drawing off e.g. water or other liquid)
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
being one more than seven
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
Enoch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
freshlyadverbUS /ˈfreʃli/
very recently
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
hair-trigger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
heapedverbUS /hiːpt/
past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
high-keyedadjective
(of persons) excitable
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
hilaritynounUS /hɪˈlerəti/
great merriment
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
Lamont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
the sound of laughing
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
litteredadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtərd/
filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
the force of workers available
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
not any; not one
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
outburstsnounUS /ˈaʊtbɜːrsts/
plural of “outburst” — an unrestrained expression of emotion
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
passer-bynoun
a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
perorated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
poisonousadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪzənəs/
having the qualities or effects of a poison
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
cut with a saw
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
silver-plated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
plural of “story” — 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 Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
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 It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
thriveverbUS /θraɪv/
grow vigorously
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
volleynounUS /ˈvɑːli/
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
weedsnounUS /wiːdz/
a black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
