used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked upon it as given more in jest than in earnest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading GERALD paid little attention to the caution that had been given him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading GERALD paid little attention to the caution that had been given him.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading GERALD paid little attention to the caution that had been given him.
circulationnounUS /ˈsɜːrkjəleɪʃən/
the dissemination of copies of periodicals (as newspapers or magazines)
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
desperadonounUS /ˌdespərˈɑːdoʊ/
a bold outlaw (especially on the American frontier)
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading He looked upon it as given more in jest than in earnest.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
GERALD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GERALD paid little attention to the caution that had been given him.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading GERALD paid little attention to the caution that had been given him.
gossipnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəp/
light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading GERALD paid little attention to the caution that had been given him.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked upon it as given more in jest than in earnest.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading GERALD paid little attention to the caution that had been given him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He looked upon it as given more in jest than in earnest.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He looked upon it as given more in jest than in earnest.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading He looked upon it as given more in jest than in earnest.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading GERALD paid little attention to the caution that had been given him.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked upon it as given more in jest than in earnest.
loungers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He looked upon it as given more in jest than in earnest.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
NixonnounUS /ˈnɪksən/
vice president under Eisenhower and 37th President of the United States; resigned after the Watergate scandal in 1974 (1913-1994)
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading GERALD paid little attention to the caution that had been given him.
robberynounUS /ˈrɑːbəri/
larceny by threat of violence
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
speculationsnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “speculation” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
stayingverbUS /ˈsteɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He looked upon it as given more in jest than in earnest.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading GERALD paid little attention to the caution that had been given him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GERALD paid little attention to the caution that had been given him.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GERALD paid little attention to the caution that had been given him.
trampnounUS /træmp/
a vagrant
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He looked upon it as given more in jest than in earnest.
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This man had been staying in the village for a couple of days; he had been one of the loungers at the store, and had listened to all the gossip that was in circulation.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
belonging to which person
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Among other things he had heard about the attempt at robbery in which Thomas Nixon came near being a victim, and had listened with interest to speculations about the money kept on hand by the old man.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But had he known that the conversation had been listened to by a stranger whose outward appearance suggested the tramp or desperado he would have felt a degree of apprehension.
