used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading They had only fifteen minutes, but they were always packed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
blackboardsnounUS /ˈblækbɔːrdz/
plural of “blackboard” — sheet of slate; for writing with chalk
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
briefingnounUS /ˈbriːfɪŋ/
detailed instructions, as for a military operation
From this reading The briefing room was a windowless space next to the Ranch's new headquarters building.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The briefing room was a windowless space next to the Ranch's new headquarters building.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They had only fifteen minutes, but they were always packed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
chockablockadjective
packed full to capacity
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
collectverbUS /kəˈlekt/
get or gather together
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
gotten under control
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
electronicadjectiveUS /ˌɪlekˈtrɑːnɪk/
of or relating to electronics; concerned with or using devices that operate on principles governing the behavior of electrons
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
every person
From this reading In seconds everybody was reaching for his jacket.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading They had only fifteen minutes, but they were always packed.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In seconds everybody was reaching for his jacket.
frenziedadjectiveUS /ˈfrenzid/
affected with or marked by frenzy or mania uncontrolled by reason
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
gearnounUS /ɡɪr/
a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had only fifteen minutes, but they were always packed.
headquartersnounUS /ˈhedkwɔːrtərz/
(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
From this reading The briefing room was a windowless space next to the Ranch's new headquarters building.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In seconds everybody was reaching for his jacket.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In seconds everybody was reaching for his jacket.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
jacketnounUS /ˈdʒækət/
a short coat
From this reading In seconds everybody was reaching for his jacket.
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 It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
mapsnounUS /mæps/
plural of “map” — a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading They had only fifteen minutes, but they were always packed.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The briefing room was a windowless space next to the Ranch's new headquarters building.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The briefing room was a windowless space next to the Ranch's new headquarters building.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
and nothing more
From this reading They had only fifteen minutes, but they were always packed.
packedadjectiveUS /pækt/
extremely crowed or filled to capacity
From this reading They had only fifteen minutes, but they were always packed.
Ranch'snounUS /ˈræntʃɪz/
possessive form of “ranch” — farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading The briefing room was a windowless space next to the Ranch's new headquarters building.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading In seconds everybody was reaching for his jacket.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The briefing room was a windowless space next to the Ranch's new headquarters building.
saluteverbUS /səˈluːt/
propose a toast to
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
scrambleverbUS /ˈskræmbəl/
to move hurriedly
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
screensnounUS /skriːnz/
plural of “screen” — a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading In seconds everybody was reaching for his jacket.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The briefing room was a windowless space next to the Ranch's new headquarters building.
not in physical motion
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had only fifteen minutes, but they were always packed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
videonounUS /ˈvɪdioʊ/
the visible part of a television transmission
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
plural of “wall” — 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 It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a scramble to salute, followed by a frenzied bustle to collect the money still lying on the table.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They had only fifteen minutes, but they were always packed.
windowless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The briefing room was a windowless space next to the Ranch's new headquarters building.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It contained a long metal table in the center, blackboards and maps around the walls, and the far end was chockablock with video screens and electronic gear.
