used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SETTING A TRAP.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?" asked the other, calmly.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
how long something has existed
From this reading "Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?" asked the other, calmly.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well as of disbelief.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well as of disbelief.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?" asked the other, calmly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well as of disbelief.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
the two together, not just one
From this reading "Why--er--both I guess," faltered Red, weakening as he saw the positive front of the other.
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading "Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?" asked the other, calmly.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
disbeliefnounUS /ˌdɪsbɪˈliːf/
doubt about the truth of something
From this reading At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well as of disbelief.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?" asked the other, calmly.
Elmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
ernounUS /ər/
a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs with yttrium
From this reading "Why--er--both I guess," faltered Red, weakening as he saw the positive front of the other.
divisible by two
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
exclamationsnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃənz/
plural of “exclamation” — an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well as of disbelief.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
falteredverbUS /ˈfɑːltərd/
past form of “falter” — be unsure or weak
From this reading "Why--er--both I guess," faltered Red, weakening as he saw the positive front of the other.
a boy or man
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
forgettingverbUS /fərˈɡetɪŋ/
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading "Why--er--both I guess," faltered Red, weakening as he saw the positive front of the other.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading "Why--er--both I guess," faltered Red, weakening as he saw the positive front of the other.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading "Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?" asked the other, calmly.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?" asked the other, calmly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Why--er--both I guess," faltered Red, weakening as he saw the positive front of the other.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?" asked the other, calmly.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well as of disbelief.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well as of disbelief.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
and nothing more
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?" asked the other, calmly.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?" asked the other, calmly.
playmatenounUS /ˈpleɪmeɪt/
a companion at play
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading "Why--er--both I guess," faltered Red, weakening as he saw the positive front of the other.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
cut with a saw
From this reading "Why--er--both I guess," faltered Red, weakening as he saw the positive front of the other.
scoutnounUS /skaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading SETTING A TRAP.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
required or under orders
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
swallowverbUS /ˈswɑːloʊ/
pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well as of disbelief.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
in or at that place or location
From this reading At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well as of disbelief.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
TRAPnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading SETTING A TRAP.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
walksnounUS /wɔːks/
plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
weakeningnounUS /ˈwiːkənɪŋ/
becoming weaker
From this reading "Why--er--both I guess," faltered Red, weakening as he saw the positive front of the other.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well as of disbelief.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why--er--both I guess," faltered Red, weakening as he saw the positive front of the other.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "Do you mean about the woman's height, or her age?" asked the other, calmly.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading At that there arose new exclamations of wonder, as well as of disbelief.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Oh, come off, now," remarked Red, quite forgetting in his amazement the respect supposed to be shown for an acting scout master, even though in the private walks of life he might only be a fellow playmate; "you can't expect us to swallow that, now, Elmer."
