used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After all it did not matter much just how or when the gambler had returned.
(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 After all it did not matter much just how or when the gambler had returned.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading So McTurpin had come back.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
Bella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
Benito
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading So McTurpin had come back.
true confidential information
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading After all it did not matter much just how or when the gambler had returned.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
gamblernounUS /ˈɡæmblər/
a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events
From this reading After all it did not matter much just how or when the gambler had returned.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading So McTurpin had come back.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After all it did not matter much just how or when the gambler had returned.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
informantnounUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrmənt/
a person who supplies information
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
a message received and understood
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After all it did not matter much just how or when the gambler had returned.
and nothing more
From this reading After all it did not matter much just how or when the gambler had returned.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading They were sure to meet sooner or later.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading After all it did not matter much just how or when the gambler had returned.
McTURPIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
come together
From this reading They were sure to meet sooner or later.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading After all it did not matter much just how or when the gambler had returned.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading After all it did not matter much just how or when the gambler had returned.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After all it did not matter much just how or when the gambler had returned.
Parker'snounUS /ˈpɑːrkərz/
possessive form of “parker” — United States saxophonist and leader of the bop style of jazz (1920-1955)
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
ponderingadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːndərɪŋ/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading After all it did not matter much just how or when the gambler had returned.
significancenounUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
the quality of being significant
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So McTurpin had come back.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading They were sure to meet sooner or later.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
strodeverbUS /stroʊd/
inflected form of “stride” — walk with long steps
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading They were sure to meet sooner or later.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were sure to meet sooner or later.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
uphilladverbUS /ˈʌpˈhɪl/
against difficulties
From this reading ON THE TRAIL OF McTURPIN Benito, in a mood of high excitement, strode uphill toward the Bella Union, pondering the significance of Parker's startling information.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were sure to meet sooner or later.
at the time that
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
workmennounUS /ˈwɜːrkmɪn/
plural of “workman” — an employee who performs manual or industrial labor
From this reading He had been about to ask for further details when one of the hurrying workmen called his informant away.
