used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STORMY NIGHT.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
make certain of
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
cagenounUS /keɪdʒ/
an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
cladadjectiveUS /klæd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
the act of departing
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading This done, his preparations for the journey were made.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
driversnounUS /ˈdraɪvərz/
plural of “driver” — the operator of a motor vehicle
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
garmentsnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənts/
plural of “garment” — an article of clothing
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading This done, his preparations for the journey were made.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
and nothing more
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading This done, his preparations for the journey were made.
engage in
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
a particular point in time
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
a form of address for a man
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A STORMY NIGHT.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading This done, his preparations for the journey were made.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
on the contrary
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
rubbedverbUS /rʌbd/
inflected form of “rub” — move over something with pressure
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
rubbernounUS /ˈrʌbər/
an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
STORMYadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading A STORMY NIGHT.
StubbsnounUS /stʌbz/
English historian noted for his constitutional history of medieval England (1825-1901)
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This done, his preparations for the journey were made.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe.
TobynounUS /ˈtoʊbi/
a drinking mug in the shape of a stout man wearing a three-cornered hat
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
precisely as stated
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
water-proof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This done, his preparations for the journey were made.
at the time that
From this reading When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand.
