used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading Larry felt himself lifted up and borne down the stairs.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
cabnounUS /kæb/
a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
From this reading “Whistle for the cab!” the shortest of the men whispered, and a shrill note came from the lips of someone.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Whistle for the cab!” the shortest of the men whispered, and a shrill note came from the lips of someone.
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Larry felt himself lifted up and borne down the stairs.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Larry felt himself lifted up and borne down the stairs.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Whistle for the cab!” the shortest of the men whispered, and a shrill note came from the lips of someone.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Whistle for the cab!” the shortest of the men whispered, and a shrill note came from the lips of someone.
graspedverbUS /ɡræspt/
past form of “grasp” — hold firmly
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Larry felt himself lifted up and borne down the stairs.
involuntarilyadverbUS /ˌɪnvoʊˈlʌntərɪli/
against your will
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
issuingnounUS /ˈɪʃuːɪŋ/
the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
Larry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
held up in the air
From this reading Larry felt himself lifted up and borne down the stairs.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading “Whistle for the cab!” the shortest of the men whispered, and a shrill note came from the lips of someone.
the force of workers available
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
a brief written record
From this reading “Whistle for the cab!” the shortest of the men whispered, and a shrill note came from the lips of someone.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
and nothing more
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
by chance
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
participate in games or sport
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
shortestadjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtɪst/
superlative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading “Whistle for the cab!” the shortest of the men whispered, and a shrill note came from the lips of someone.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading “Whistle for the cab!” the shortest of the men whispered, and a shrill note came from the lips of someone.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
a person, without saying who
From this reading “Whistle for the cab!” the shortest of the men whispered, and a shrill note came from the lips of someone.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Larry felt himself lifted up and borne down the stairs.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
TAKENadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He involuntarily moved to one side, but, as he did so, one of the men grasped him by the coat collar.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
hard to endure
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Larry felt himself lifted up and borne down the stairs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Larry began to struggle, but another of the men clasped him about the arms, and a hand was placed over the boy’s mouth to prevent any cry issuing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER At first Larry thought they were perhaps only trying to play a joke on him.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading “Whistle for the cab!” the shortest of the men whispered, and a shrill note came from the lips of someone.
WhistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading “Whistle for the cab!” the shortest of the men whispered, and a shrill note came from the lips of someone.
