used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His death was certain--for the enemy numbered trillions, a-- The room was sealed as tightly as possible.
alienadjectiveUS /ˈeɪliən/
not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something
From this reading He could never tell when the alien invaders would break through.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading He was alone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His death was certain--for the enemy numbered trillions, a-- The room was sealed as tightly as possible.
terminate
From this reading He could never tell when the alien invaders would break through.
caulkedadjective
having cracks and crevices stopped up with a filler
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading His death was certain--for the enemy numbered trillions, a-- The room was sealed as tightly as possible.
checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
unvarying in nature
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
contractsnounUS /ˈkɑːntrækts/
plural of “contract” — a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could never tell when the alien invaders would break through.
cracksnounUS /kræks/
plural of “crack” — a long narrow opening
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading His death was certain--for the enemy numbered trillions, a-- The room was sealed as tightly as possible.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
an opposing military force
From this reading His death was certain--for the enemy numbered trillions, a-- The room was sealed as tightly as possible.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His death was certain--for the enemy numbered trillions, a-- The room was sealed as tightly as possible.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
Haverford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
invadersnounUS /ˌɪnˈveɪdərz/
plural of “invader” — someone who enters by force in order to conquer
From this reading He could never tell when the alien invaders would break through.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
immediately past
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He could never tell when the alien invaders would break through.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
numberedverbUS /ˈnʌmbərd/
past form of “number” — add up in number or quantity
From this reading His death was certain--for the enemy numbered trillions, a-- The room was sealed as tightly as possible.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading His death was certain--for the enemy numbered trillions, a-- The room was sealed as tightly as possible.
radionounUS /ˈreɪdioʊ/
medium for communication
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading His death was certain--for the enemy numbered trillions, a-- The room was sealed as tightly as possible.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading His death was certain--for the enemy numbered trillions, a-- The room was sealed as tightly as possible.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
express in words
From this reading He could never tell when the alien invaders would break through.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He could never tell when the alien invaders would break through.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading His death was certain--for the enemy numbered trillions, a-- The room was sealed as tightly as possible.
trillionsnounUS /ˈtrɪljənz/
plural of “trillion” — a very large indefinite number (usually hyperbole)
From this reading His death was certain--for the enemy numbered trillions, a-- The room was sealed as tightly as possible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Haverford knew from his radio contracts he was the last man alive on Earth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
at the time that
From this reading He could never tell when the alien invaders would break through.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Haverford had checked it for cracks, made sure the windows were caulked, and now kept constant guard.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He could never tell when the alien invaders would break through.
