used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Why am I stopped in this way?
Andy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Who are you?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
a youthful male person
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
a young person of either sex
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
placed crosswise
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
detectivesnounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
plural of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
opinion or judgment
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
at or to or toward the front
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
brought together in one place
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
HeadquartersnounUS /ˈhedkwɔːrtərz/
(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
From this reading Police Headquarters.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Why am I stopped in this way?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Why am I stopped in this way?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
malevolentadjectiveUS /məˈlevələnt/
wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading Police Headquarters.
with speed
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
on the contrary
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
express in speech
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Why am I stopped in this way?
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A curiously malevolent expression crossed the face of the man with the child as he bent his eyes on Andy; but he did not speak to him then, but rather to the crowd that had quickly gathered, "What does all this mean?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Why am I stopped in this way?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
which person or people
From this reading "Who are you?
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why am I stopped in this way?
in the company of; together with
From this reading What are you talking about?" demanded one of the detectives of Andy, after the latter had stepped forward with his exclamation that it was not the little boy.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Who are you?
