used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The conspirators turned up at the office in a hopeful spirit next morning.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading "I'd sooner steady my nerves a bit; I'm better in the afternoon."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Who's going up first?" he asked in a confidential whisper.
assistingverbUS /əˈsɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “assist” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The conspirators turned up at the office in a hopeful spirit next morning.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "I'd sooner steady my nerves a bit; I'm better in the afternoon."
beveragenounUS /ˈbevərɪdʒ/
any liquid suitable for drinking
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading "I'd sooner steady my nerves a bit; I'm better in the afternoon."
BusbynounUS /ˈbʌzbi/
tall hat; worn by some British soldiers on ceremonial occasions
From this reading "Let Polly go, then," said Busby.
cheersnounUS /tʃɪrz/
plural of “cheer” — a cry or shout of approval
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
From this reading "Who's going up first?" he asked in a confidential whisper.
conspiratorsnounUS /kənˈspɪrətərz/
plural of “conspirator” — a member of a conspiracy
From this reading The conspirators turned up at the office in a hopeful spirit next morning.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
EarlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "Who's going up first?" he asked in a confidential whisper.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Let Polly go, then," said Busby.
the act of departing
From this reading "Who's going up first?" he asked in a confidential whisper.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Who's going up first?" he asked in a confidential whisper.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
hopefuladjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpfəl/
having or manifesting hope
From this reading The conspirators turned up at the office in a hopeful spirit next morning.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'd sooner steady my nerves a bit; I'm better in the afternoon."
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'd sooner steady my nerves a bit; I'm better in the afternoon."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The conspirators turned up at the office in a hopeful spirit next morning.
inebriatesnounUS /ˌɪˈnebrieɪts/
plural of “inebriate” — a chronic drinker
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading "Let Polly go, then," said Busby.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The conspirators turned up at the office in a hopeful spirit next morning.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I'd sooner steady my nerves a bit; I'm better in the afternoon."
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading "I'd sooner steady my nerves a bit; I'm better in the afternoon."
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The conspirators turned up at the office in a hopeful spirit next morning.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The conspirators turned up at the office in a hopeful spirit next morning.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Let Polly go, then," said Busby.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Let Polly go, then," said Busby.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading "I'd sooner steady my nerves a bit; I'm better in the afternoon."
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading The conspirators turned up at the office in a hopeful spirit next morning.
make steady
From this reading "I'd sooner steady my nerves a bit; I'm better in the afternoon."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The conspirators turned up at the office in a hopeful spirit next morning.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Let Polly go, then," said Busby.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The conspirators turned up at the office in a hopeful spirit next morning.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The conspirators turned up at the office in a hopeful spirit next morning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading "Who's going up first?" he asked in a confidential whisper.
Who's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Who's going up first?" he asked in a confidential whisper.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
but in spite of that
From this reading Early as the hour was, Gray had evidently been assisting his courage with some beverage that cheers and yet inebriates.
