used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading “Got it!” he announced triumphantly.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Wells came hurrying in to slap a photograph mailing envelope on the desk before Flash’s startled eyes.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Wells came hurrying in to slap a photograph mailing envelope on the desk before Flash’s startled eyes.
ClydenounUS /klaɪd/
a river in western Scotland that flows from the southern uplands into the Firth of Clyde; navigable by oceangoing vessels as far as Glasgow
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
DeemsverbUS /diːmz/
third-person singular of “deem” — keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading Wells came hurrying in to slap a photograph mailing envelope on the desk before Flash’s startled eyes.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The door swung open.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading Wells came hurrying in to slap a photograph mailing envelope on the desk before Flash’s startled eyes.
divisible by two
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Wells came hurrying in to slap a photograph mailing envelope on the desk before Flash’s startled eyes.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Flash waited without hope for Joe Wells’ return.
Flash'snounUS /ˈflæʃɪz/
possessive form of “flash” — a sudden intense burst of radiant energy
From this reading Wells came hurrying in to slap a photograph mailing envelope on the desk before Flash’s startled eyes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Flash waited without hope for Joe Wells’ return.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “Got it!” he announced triumphantly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Flash waited without hope for Joe Wells’ return.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading Wells came hurrying in to slap a photograph mailing envelope on the desk before Flash’s startled eyes.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Flash waited without hope for Joe Wells’ return.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
mailingnounUS /ˈmeɪlɪŋ/
mail sent by a sender at one time
From this reading Wells came hurrying in to slap a photograph mailing envelope on the desk before Flash’s startled eyes.
engage in
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Wells came hurrying in to slap a photograph mailing envelope on the desk before Flash’s startled eyes.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The door swung open.
photographverbUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræf/
record on photographic film
From this reading Wells came hurrying in to slap a photograph mailing envelope on the desk before Flash’s startled eyes.
photographernounUS /fəˈtɑːɡrəfər/
someone who takes photographs professionally
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Flash waited without hope for Joe Wells’ return.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
slapverbUS /slæp/
hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand
From this reading Wells came hurrying in to slap a photograph mailing envelope on the desk before Flash’s startled eyes.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Wells came hurrying in to slap a photograph mailing envelope on the desk before Flash’s startled eyes.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The door swung open.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
triumphantlyadverbUS /traɪˈʌmfəntli/
in a triumphant manner
From this reading “Got it!” he announced triumphantly.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Flash waited without hope for Joe Wells’ return.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
WellsnounUS /welz/
prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)
From this reading Flash waited without hope for Joe Wells’ return.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Flash waited without hope for Joe Wells’ return.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He did not know exactly what the photographer had in mind, but it was too much to believe that Clyde Deems, a rival photographer, would make the slightest effort to help him even if it were possible.
