used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
in actual fact
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Everybody had dropped out but Cy Russell, Siegrist, the first baseman, and Lefty.
animatedadjectiveUS /ˈænəmeɪtɪd/
having life or vigor or spirit
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
backstopnounUS /ˈbækstɑːp/
(baseball) the person who plays the position of catcher
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
baseman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everybody had dropped out but Cy Russell, Siegrist, the first baseman, and Lefty.
next to; at the side of
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Everybody had dropped out but Cy Russell, Siegrist, the first baseman, and Lefty.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And when it came to that, he did not notice whether it was the hotel employee himself who held the tray, or some one else.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
CAT'SnounUS /kæts/
possessive form of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
intentionally conceived
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
Cy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everybody had dropped out but Cy Russell, Siegrist, the first baseman, and Lefty.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading And when it came to that, he did not notice whether it was the hotel employee himself who held the tray, or some one else.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Everybody had dropped out but Cy Russell, Siegrist, the first baseman, and Lefty.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And when it came to that, he did not notice whether it was the hotel employee himself who held the tray, or some one else.
employeenounUS /emˈplɔɪi/
a worker who is hired to perform a job
From this reading And when it came to that, he did not notice whether it was the hotel employee himself who held the tray, or some one else.
every person
From this reading Everybody had dropped out but Cy Russell, Siegrist, the first baseman, and Lefty.
FargonounUS /ˈfɑːrɡoʊ/
largest city in North Dakota; located in eastern North Dakota on the Red river
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Everybody had dropped out but Cy Russell, Siegrist, the first baseman, and Lefty.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Everybody had dropped out but Cy Russell, Siegrist, the first baseman, and Lefty.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading And when it came to that, he did not notice whether it was the hotel employee himself who held the tray, or some one else.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading And when it came to that, he did not notice whether it was the hotel employee himself who held the tray, or some one else.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading And when it came to that, he did not notice whether it was the hotel employee himself who held the tray, or some one else.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
LeftynounUS /ˈlefti/
a person who uses the left hand with greater skill than the right
From this reading Everybody had dropped out but Cy Russell, Siegrist, the first baseman, and Lefty.
liquidadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəd/
existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading And when it came to that, he did not notice whether it was the hotel employee himself who held the tray, or some one else.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Everybody had dropped out but Cy Russell, Siegrist, the first baseman, and Lefty.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
refreshmentsnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənts/
plural of “refreshment” — snacks and drinks served as a light meal
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
RussellnounUS /ˈrʌsəl/
United States religious leader who founded the sect that is now called Jehovah's Witnesses (1852-1916)
From this reading Everybody had dropped out but Cy Russell, Siegrist, the first baseman, and Lefty.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
Siegrist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everybody had dropped out but Cy Russell, Siegrist, the first baseman, and Lefty.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading And when it came to that, he did not notice whether it was the hotel employee himself who held the tray, or some one else.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
tensnounUS /tenz/
plural of “ten” — the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And when it came to that, he did not notice whether it was the hotel employee himself who held the tray, or some one else.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
traynounUS /treɪ/
an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
waiternounUS /ˈweɪtər/
a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
at the time that
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
in or at the place that
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading “WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY” The liquid refreshments arrived while they were in the midst of an unusually animated hand.
which person or people
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The latter, with three kings and a pair of tens, was half conscious that Fargo had taken a glass from the tray and set it down beside him.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It was one of those cases, however, where one gets an impression without really seeing, and he could not have told afterward whether it was actually the big backstop who put it down, or the waiter.
