used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He heard the sharp whistle of Mr. Gubb's breath as it cut against the sharp edge of the crack in the panel, and he knew he was being spied upon.
Agency'snounUS /ˈeɪdʒənsiz/
possessive form of “agency” — an administrative unit of government
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
angularadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡjələr/
measured by an angle or by the rate of change of an angle
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
areanounUS /ˈeriə/
a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading Within, just out of the limited area of Mr. Gubb's vision, Roscoe Critz paused in his work and listened carefully.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He heard the sharp whistle of Mr. Gubb's breath as it cut against the sharp edge of the crack in the panel, and he knew he was being spied upon.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He heard the sharp whistle of Mr. Gubb's breath as it cut against the sharp edge of the crack in the panel, and he knew he was being spied upon.
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading He heard the sharp whistle of Mr. Gubb's breath as it cut against the sharp edge of the crack in the panel, and he knew he was being spied upon.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Within, just out of the limited area of Mr. Gubb's vision, Roscoe Critz paused in his work and listened carefully.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
CorrespondencenounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndəns/
communication by the exchange of letters
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
creakingnounUS /ˈkriːkɪŋ/
a squeaking sound
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
Critz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading He heard the sharp whistle of Mr. Gubb's breath as it cut against the sharp edge of the crack in the panel, and he knew he was being spied upon.
DetectingnounUS /dɪˈtektɪŋ/
a police investigation to determine the perpetrator
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
increase twofold
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading He heard the sharp whistle of Mr. Gubb's breath as it cut against the sharp edge of the crack in the panel, and he knew he was being spied upon.
the organ of sight
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
flamingonounUS /fləˈmɪŋɡoʊ/
large pink to scarlet web-footed wading bird with down-bent bill; inhabits brackish lakes
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
gentlestadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentələst/
superlative of “gentle” — soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
Gubb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
Gubb's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within, just out of the limited area of Mr. Gubb's vision, Roscoe Critz paused in his work and listened carefully.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He heard the sharp whistle of Mr. Gubb's breath as it cut against the sharp edge of the crack in the panel, and he knew he was being spied upon.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He heard the sharp whistle of Mr. Gubb's breath as it cut against the sharp edge of the crack in the panel, and he knew he was being spied upon.
and nothing more
From this reading Within, just out of the limited area of Mr. Gubb's vision, Roscoe Critz paused in his work and listened carefully.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He heard the sharp whistle of Mr. Gubb's breath as it cut against the sharp edge of the crack in the panel, and he knew he was being spied upon.
limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/
small in range or scope
From this reading Within, just out of the limited area of Mr. Gubb's vision, Roscoe Critz paused in his work and listened carefully.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Within, just out of the limited area of Mr. Gubb's vision, Roscoe Critz paused in his work and listened carefully.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
the force of workers available
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
used to form the superlative
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
of an obscure nature
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Within, just out of the limited area of Mr. Gubb's vision, Roscoe Critz paused in his work and listened carefully.
panelnounUS /ˈpænəl/
sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
paper-hanger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Within, just out of the limited area of Mr. Gubb's vision, Roscoe Critz paused in his work and listened carefully.
Philo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
Quixote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
remindingverbUS /riˈmaɪndɪŋ/
-ing form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
Roscoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within, just out of the limited area of Mr. Gubb's vision, Roscoe Critz paused in his work and listened carefully.
an educational institution
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading He heard the sharp whistle of Mr. Gubb's breath as it cut against the sharp edge of the crack in the panel, and he knew he was being spied upon.
simple-mindedadjective
lacking subtlety and insight
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
spiedverbUS /spaɪd/
inflected form of “spy” — catch sight of
From this reading He heard the sharp whistle of Mr. Gubb's breath as it cut against the sharp edge of the crack in the panel, and he knew he was being spied upon.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Now, bending his long, angular body almost double, he placed his eye to a crack in the door panel and stared into the room.
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
tiptoedverbUS /ˈtɪptoʊd/
past form of “tiptoe” — walk on one's toes
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He heard the sharp whistle of Mr. Gubb's breath as it cut against the sharp edge of the crack in the panel, and he knew he was being spied upon.
a vivid mental image
From this reading Within, just out of the limited area of Mr. Gubb's vision, Roscoe Critz paused in his work and listened carefully.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In appearance Mr. Gubb was tall and gaunt, reminding one of a modern Don Quixote or a human flamingo; by nature Mr. Gubb was the gentlest and most simple-minded of men.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading He heard the sharp whistle of Mr. Gubb's breath as it cut against the sharp edge of the crack in the panel, and he knew he was being spied upon.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Walking close along the wall, to avoid the creaking floor boards, Philo Gubb, paper-hanger and student of the Rising Sun Detective Agency's Correspondence School of Detecting, tiptoed to the door of the bedroom he shared with the mysterious Mr. Critz.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within, just out of the limited area of Mr. Gubb's vision, Roscoe Critz paused in his work and listened carefully.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Within, just out of the limited area of Mr. Gubb's vision, Roscoe Critz paused in his work and listened carefully.
