used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was scared that the older one would pin me down and thus learn the truth about my nose scratches.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “Who was it?” says Mother, when Dad came back to the table with a big grin on his face.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “Who was it?” says Mother, when Dad came back to the table with a big grin on his face.
the two together, not just one
From this reading So it was a relief to both of us when my talkative parent was called to the telephone.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading So it was a relief to both of us when my talkative parent was called to the telephone.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Who was it?” says Mother, when Dad came back to the table with a big grin on his face.
chummy-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Red was fidgety in the conversation.
DadnounUS /dæd/
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He was scared that the older one would pin me down and thus learn the truth about my nose scratches.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading “Who was it?” says Mother, when Dad came back to the table with a big grin on his face.
fidgetyadjective
nervous and unable to relax
From this reading Red was fidgety in the conversation.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
grinnounUS /ɡrɪn/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading “Who was it?” says Mother, when Dad came back to the table with a big grin on his face.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was scared that the older one would pin me down and thus learn the truth about my nose scratches.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
inquiringadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪərɪŋ/
given to inquiry
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So it was a relief to both of us when my talkative parent was called to the telephone.
jokedverbUS /dʒoʊkt/
past form of “joke” — tell a joke; speak humorously
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
jollyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɑːli/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading He was scared that the older one would pin me down and thus learn the truth about my nose scratches.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading “Who was it?” says Mother, when Dad came back to the table with a big grin on his face.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So it was a relief to both of us when my talkative parent was called to the telephone.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading He was scared that the older one would pin me down and thus learn the truth about my nose scratches.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Who was it?” says Mother, when Dad came back to the table with a big grin on his face.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was scared that the older one would pin me down and thus learn the truth about my nose scratches.
parentnounUS /ˈperənt/
a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading So it was a relief to both of us when my talkative parent was called to the telephone.
pinverbUS /pɪn/
to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading He was scared that the older one would pin me down and thus learn the truth about my nose scratches.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Red was fidgety in the conversation.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading So it was a relief to both of us when my talkative parent was called to the telephone.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading “Who was it?” says Mother, when Dad came back to the table with a big grin on his face.
scaredadjectiveUS /skerd/
made afraid
From this reading He was scared that the older one would pin me down and thus learn the truth about my nose scratches.
scrapnounUS /skræp/
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
scratchesnounUS /ˈskrætʃəz/
plural of “scratch” — an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off
From this reading He was scared that the older one would pin me down and thus learn the truth about my nose scratches.
skinnedadjectiveUS /skɪnd/
having skin of a specified kind
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So it was a relief to both of us when my talkative parent was called to the telephone.
Stricker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
talkativeadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːkətɪv/
full of trivial conversation
From this reading So it was a relief to both of us when my talkative parent was called to the telephone.
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 So it was a relief to both of us when my talkative parent was called to the telephone.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading He was scared that the older one would pin me down and thus learn the truth about my nose scratches.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
TOWNSMANnounUS /ˈtaʊnzmən/
a person from the same town as yourself
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading He was scared that the older one would pin me down and thus learn the truth about my nose scratches.
truthfullyadverbUS /ˈtruːθfəli/
with truth
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So it was a relief to both of us when my talkative parent was called to the telephone.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
having passed out of existence
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Red was fidgety in the conversation.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
at the time that
From this reading So it was a relief to both of us when my talkative parent was called to the telephone.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
which person or people
From this reading “Who was it?” says Mother, when Dad came back to the table with a big grin on his face.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE VANISHED TOWNSMAN At the breakfast table the following morning Dad joked me, in his usual jolly way, about my skinned nose, inquiring, chummy-like, if I had been in a scrap with the Stricker gang, to which I replied truthfully that I hadn’t.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was scared that the older one would pin me down and thus learn the truth about my nose scratches.
