used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His form was swaying like a reed on the edge of the cyclone’s path.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
Bob'snounUS /bɑːbz/
possessive form of “bob” — a former monetary unit in Great Britain
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
Brownley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
cyclone's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His form was swaying like a reed on the edge of the cyclone’s path.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading His form was swaying like a reed on the edge of the cyclone’s path.
endeavouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “For God’s sake, Bob, hear me.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading His form was swaying like a reed on the edge of the cyclone’s path.
God'snounUS /ɡɑːdz/
possessive form of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading “For God’s sake, Bob, hear me.
gongnounUS /ɡɔːŋ/
a percussion instrument consisting of a metal plate that is struck with a softheaded drumstick
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
haranguenounUS /hərˈæŋ/
a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading “For God’s sake, Bob, hear me.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His form was swaying like a reed on the edge of the cyclone’s path.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I jumped to his side.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading I jumped to his side.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading His form was swaying like a reed on the edge of the cyclone’s path.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “For God’s sake, Bob, hear me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
a course of conduct
From this reading His form was swaying like a reed on the edge of the cyclone’s path.
president'snounUS /ˈprezɪdənts/
possessive form of “president” — an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
reednounUS /riːd/
tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites
From this reading His form was swaying like a reed on the edge of the cyclone’s path.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading “For God’s sake, Bob, hear me.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading I jumped to his side.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
swayingverbUS /ˈsweɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading His form was swaying like a reed on the edge of the cyclone’s path.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
in or at that place or location
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I jumped to his side.
vainlyadverbUS /ˈveɪnli/
to no avail
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The instant after the gong sounded Bob Brownley was alone on the floor at the foot of the president’s desk.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
which person or people
From this reading His brother, who had during Bob’s harangue been vainly endeavouring to beat his way through the crowd, was there first.
