used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was about to open it when it was forcibly burst inwards in his grasp.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
badgenounUS /bædʒ/
an emblem (a small piece of plastic or cloth or metal) that signifies your status (rank or membership or affiliation etc.)
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading He was about to open it when it was forcibly burst inwards in his grasp.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading "Certainly," said Ralph, with great politeness.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading "Come in, gentlemen--there's a good fire and enough chairs, I guess."
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Come in, gentlemen--there's a good fire and enough chairs, I guess."
consequential-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
constable's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "Come in, gentlemen--there's a good fire and enough chairs, I guess."
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
a boy or man
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
start firing a weapon
From this reading "Come in, gentlemen--there's a good fire and enough chairs, I guess."
forciblyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrsəbli/
in a forcible manner
From this reading He was about to open it when it was forcibly burst inwards in his grasp.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading "Come in, gentlemen--there's a good fire and enough chairs, I guess."
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "Come in, gentlemen--there's a good fire and enough chairs, I guess."
hold firmly
From this reading He was about to open it when it was forcibly burst inwards in his grasp.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "Certainly," said Ralph, with great politeness.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading "Come in, gentlemen--there's a good fire and enough chairs, I guess."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was about to open it when it was forcibly burst inwards in his grasp.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Come in, gentlemen--there's a good fire and enough chairs, I guess."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was about to open it when it was forcibly burst inwards in his grasp.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
inwardsadverb
to or toward the inside of
From this reading He was about to open it when it was forcibly burst inwards in his grasp.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was about to open it when it was forcibly burst inwards in his grasp.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He was about to open it when it was forcibly burst inwards in his grasp.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
politenessnounUS /pəˈlaɪtnəs/
a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage
From this reading "Certainly," said Ralph, with great politeness.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Certainly," said Ralph, with great politeness.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
stridentadjectiveUS /ˈstraɪdənt/
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
possessing sweep
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
there's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come in, gentlemen--there's a good fire and enough chairs, I guess."
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
unlockedadjectiveUS /ənˈlɑːkt/
not firmly fastened or secured
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
vestverbUS /vest/
provide with power and authority
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
vociferatedverbUS /vəˈsɪfəreɪtɪd/
past form of “vociferate” — utter in a very loud voice
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was about to open it when it was forcibly burst inwards in his grasp.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading "We want to get in here," vociferated a strident voice, and a consequential-looking little fellow, wearing his coat open so that a constable's badge showed on his vest, swept over the threshold as if he was leading an army to an attack.
at the time that
From this reading He was about to open it when it was forcibly burst inwards in his grasp.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Certainly," said Ralph, with great politeness.
WITSnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading THE BATTLE OF WITS Ralph instantly arose to his feet and unlocked the office door.
