used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
(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 A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading A telephone inspector was in the Sweeny apartment, looking over the instrument.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Author of “The Sweeny Motor Car,” “Mr. Sweeny: Financier,” Etc.
BellenounUS /bel/
a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mrs. Sweeny stood by, evidently suspicious, and watched the man as he worked.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading Author of “The Sweeny Motor Car,” “Mr. Sweeny: Financier,” Etc.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
disastrousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzæstrəs/
(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
Etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of “The Sweeny Motor Car,” “Mr. Sweeny: Financier,” Etc.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Mrs. Sweeny stood by, evidently suspicious, and watched the man as he worked.
FinanciernounUS /ˌfɪnənˈsɪr/
a person skilled in large scale financial transactions
From this reading Author of “The Sweeny Motor Car,” “Mr. Sweeny: Financier,” Etc.
set up or found
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
full-fledgedadjective
(of a bird) having reached full development with fully grown adult plumage; ready to fly
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
gambler'snounUS /ˈɡæmblərz/
possessive form of “gambler” — a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Sweeny stood by, evidently suspicious, and watched the man as he worked.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A telephone inspector was in the Sweeny apartment, looking over the instrument.
inspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading A telephone inspector was in the Sweeny apartment, looking over the instrument.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading A telephone inspector was in the Sweeny apartment, looking over the instrument.
irresistibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbəl/
impossible to resist; overpowering
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
listeners-in
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading A telephone inspector was in the Sweeny apartment, looking over the instrument.
a large number or amount
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Mrs. Sweeny stood by, evidently suspicious, and watched the man as he worked.
MotornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading Author of “The Sweeny Motor Car,” “Mr. Sweeny: Financier,” Etc.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Author of “The Sweeny Motor Car,” “Mr. Sweeny: Financier,” Etc.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Sweeny stood by, evidently suspicious, and watched the man as he worked.
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Author of “The Sweeny Motor Car,” “Mr. Sweeny: Financier,” Etc.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A telephone inspector was in the Sweeny apartment, looking over the instrument.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
picnicnounUS /ˈpɪknɪk/
a day devoted to an outdoor social gathering
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
race-track
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
relateverbUS /rɪˈleɪt/
make a logical or causal connection
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Mrs. Sweeny stood by, evidently suspicious, and watched the man as he worked.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
suspiciousadjectiveUS /səˈspɪʃəs/
openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
From this reading Mrs. Sweeny stood by, evidently suspicious, and watched the man as he worked.
Sweeny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of “The Sweeny Motor Car,” “Mr. Sweeny: Financier,” Etc.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Author of “The Sweeny Motor Car,” “Mr. Sweeny: Financier,” Etc.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A telephone inspector was in the Sweeny apartment, looking over the instrument.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Mrs. Sweeny stood by, evidently suspicious, and watched the man as he worked.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading And Belle Sweeny, the race-track gambler’s widow, found her neighbors’ conversation irresistible, but, sad to relate, almost as disastrous.
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading A party telephone wire is like a political picnic--lots of strangers on the ground and all full-fledged listeners-in.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Mrs. Sweeny stood by, evidently suspicious, and watched the man as he worked.
