used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The situation may require a little clearing, and she can help."
agentnounUS /ˈeɪdʒənt/
an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
alternatedverbUS /ˈɔːltərneɪtɪd/
past form of “alternate” — go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The situation may require a little clearing, and she can help."
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Yes; but wait till Miss Ervin comes in.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The situation may require a little clearing, and she can help."
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading The situation may require a little clearing, and she can help."
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading "Yes; but wait till Miss Ervin comes in.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
Ervin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
gray-hairedadjective
showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
Helen'snounUS /ˈhelɪnz/
possessive form of “helen” — (Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The situation may require a little clearing, and she can help."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
and nothing more
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The situation may require a little clearing, and she can help."
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
LowellnounUS /ˈloʊəl/
United States poet (1917-1977)
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The situation may require a little clearing, and she can help."
the force of workers available
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "Yes; but wait till Miss Ervin comes in.
murderedadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrdərd/
killed unlawfully
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
recurring again and again
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading The situation may require a little clearing, and she can help."
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
SargentnounUS /ˈsɑːrdʒənt/
United States painter (born in Italy) known for his society portraits (1856-1925)
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
cut with a saw
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The situation may require a little clearing, and she can help."
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading The situation may require a little clearing, and she can help."
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
required or under orders
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Surprise and anxiety alternated in Helen's face as she looked in through the open doorway and saw the men seated at the table.
up to a particular time
From this reading "Yes; but wait till Miss Ervin comes in.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Helen Ervin rode past the ranch door just as the gray-haired man made his statement to Lowell.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading "Yes; but wait till Miss Ervin comes in.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
which person or people
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes; but wait till Miss Ervin comes in.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You are Edward Sargent, the man who was supposed to have been murdered?" repeated the Indian agent, in astonishment.
