used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
(Old Testament) in Judeo-Christian mythology; the first man and the husband of Eve and the progenitor of the human race
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
make calm or still
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
chuckledverbUS /ˈtʃʌkəld/
past form of “chuckle” — laugh quietly or with restraint
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
the act of discovering something
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
psychological suffering
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
expectantlyadverb
in an expectant manner
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
opinion or judgment
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
gleenounUS /ɡliː/
great merriment
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
grinnedverbUS /ɡrɪnd/
inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
groundsnounUS /ɡraʊndz/
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
grown-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
not accessible to view
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
HidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
immediately past
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
miraclenounUS /ˈmɪrəkəl/
any amazing or wonderful occurrence
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
searchedverbUS /sɜːrtʃt/
past form of “search” — try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
shrubberynounUS /ˈʃrʌbəri/
an area where a number of shrubs are planted
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
steadfastadjectiveUS /ˈstedfæst/
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Here and there about the grounds she searched anxiously; but the man kept himself hidden and enjoyed her distress.
a special situation
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
transformedadjectiveUS /trænˈsfɔːrmd/
given a completely different form or appearance
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
WardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
Ward'snounUS /wɔːrdz/
possessive form of “ward” — a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And now, by some miracle, Adam Ward's countenance was transformed--his eyes were gentle, his gray face calm and kindly.
at the time that
From this reading At last, when she had come so near that discovery was certain, he suddenly stepped out from the bushes and, facing her, waited expectantly.
which person or people
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE HIDDEN THING Hiding in the shrubbery, Adam Ward chuckled and grinned with strange glee as he listened to his wife calling for him.
a late time of life
From this reading His smile became the affectionate greeting of a man who, past the middle years of life, is steadfast in his love for the mother of his grown-up children.
