used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PARTIAL VICTORY.
actorsnounUS /ˈæktərz/
plural of “actor” — a theatrical performer
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there was something more than interest in the face of Jode Lenning.
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
coiledadjectiveUS /kɔɪld/
curled or wound (especially in concentric rings or spirals)
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
counterchecknoun
a check that restrains another check
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
cranedverbUS /kreɪnd/
past form of “crane” — stretch (the neck) so as to see better
From this reading Necks were craned forward, and fascinated interest showed in every face.
travel across or pass over
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Necks were craned forward, and fascinated interest showed in every face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Necks were craned forward, and fascinated interest showed in every face.
fascinatedadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtəd/
having your attention fixated as though by a spell
From this reading Necks were craned forward, and fascinated interest showed in every face.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Necks were craned forward, and fascinated interest showed in every face.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
icyadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsi/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Necks were craned forward, and fascinated interest showed in every face.
Jode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was something more than interest in the face of Jode Lenning.
Lenning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was something more than interest in the face of Jode Lenning.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
mesanounUS /ˈmeɪsə/
flat tableland with steep edges
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
NecksnounUS /neks/
plural of “neck” — the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading Necks were craned forward, and fascinated interest showed in every face.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
packagenounUS /ˈpækədʒ/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
PARTIALadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːrʃəl/
being or affecting only a part; not total
From this reading A PARTIAL VICTORY.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
serpentnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənt/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
shiververbUS /ˈʃɪvər/
tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Necks were craned forward, and fascinated interest showed in every face.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But there was something more than interest in the face of Jode Lenning.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there was something more than interest in the face of Jode Lenning.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The colonel started back from the package of bills as though from a coiled and striking serpent.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading A PARTIAL VICTORY.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But there was something more than interest in the face of Jode Lenning.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading A breath of icy air seemed to cross the hot mesa, bringing a weird shiver to more than one of the crowd surrounding the actors in that little drama of check and countercheck.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Necks were craned forward, and fascinated interest showed in every face.
