used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SETTLING A SCORE.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Yet it was more effective than an elaborate disguise would have been.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Yet it was more effective than an elaborate disguise would have been.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
Dade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
detectionnounUS /dɪˈtekʃən/
the perception that something has occurred or some state exists
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
disguisenounUS /dɪsˈɡaɪz/
A means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity.
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
put on clothes
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading Yet it was more effective than an elaborate disguise would have been.
elaborateadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæbrət/
marked by complexity and richness of detail
From this reading Yet it was more effective than an elaborate disguise would have been.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Yet it was more effective than an elaborate disguise would have been.
HectornounUS /ˈhektər/
(Greek mythology) a mythical Trojan who was killed by Achilles during the Trojan War
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
hoververbUS /ˈhʌvər/
be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Yet it was more effective than an elaborate disguise would have been.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
King'snounUS /kɪŋz/
possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
mobnounUS /mɑːb/
a disorderly crowd of people
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Yet it was more effective than an elaborate disguise would have been.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading SETTLING A SCORE.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
SETTLINGnounUS /ˈsetəlɪŋ/
a gradual sinking to a lower level
From this reading SETTLING A SCORE.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
sophomorenounUS /ˈsɑːfmɔːr/
a second-year undergraduate
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
studentsnounUS /ˈstuːdənts/
plural of “student” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
superficialadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈfɪʃəl/
concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
sweepsnounUS /swiːps/
plural of “sweep” — a wide scope
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
carry out
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Yet it was more effective than an elaborate disguise would have been.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
precisely as stated
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
(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 The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
which person or people
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The disguise had served so well that King had been able to hover on the outskirts of the sophomore mob without detection or question.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Hector King’s disguise was so very superficial that Dade wondered at the daring of the man.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Yet it was more effective than an elaborate disguise would have been.
YalenounUS /jeɪl/
a university in Connecticut
From this reading His face and hands were darkened, his hair cut short, and his dress was that of one of the numerous “sweeps” who take care of the rooms of the Yale students.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet it was more effective than an elaborate disguise would have been.
