used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He picked up the slip of paper and, striking a light, looked at it.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
ALLENnounUS /ˈælən/
United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He picked up the slip of paper and, striking a light, looked at it.
backhandadjectiveUS /ˈbækhænd/
(of racket strokes) made across the body with back of hand facing direction of stroke
From this reading The writing on it was in a cramped backhand that Steve did not know and could hardly read.
BREAKSnounUS /breɪks/
plural of “break” — some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading “Your friend is in jail here on charge of murder.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The writing on it was in a cramped backhand that Steve did not know and could hardly read.
crampedadjectiveUS /kræmpt/
constricted in size
From this reading The writing on it was in a cramped backhand that Steve did not know and could hardly read.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The writing on it was in a cramped backhand that Steve did not know and could hardly read.
door-sill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading “Your friend is in jail here on charge of murder.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
only a very short time before
From this reading The writing on it was in a cramped backhand that Steve did not know and could hardly read.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Your friend is in jail here on charge of murder.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading At last, however, he made it out:
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The writing on it was in a cramped backhand that Steve did not know and could hardly read.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Your friend is in jail here on charge of murder.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He picked up the slip of paper and, striking a light, looked at it.
jailnounUS /dʒeɪl/
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading “Your friend is in jail here on charge of murder.
and nothing more
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The writing on it was in a cramped backhand that Steve did not know and could hardly read.
immediately past
From this reading At last, however, he made it out:
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He picked up the slip of paper and, striking a light, looked at it.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He picked up the slip of paper and, striking a light, looked at it.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading At last, however, he made it out:
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading “Your friend is in jail here on charge of murder.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The writing on it was in a cramped backhand that Steve did not know and could hardly read.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading At last, however, he made it out:
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading He picked up the slip of paper and, striking a light, looked at it.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading He picked up the slip of paper and, striking a light, looked at it.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The writing on it was in a cramped backhand that Steve did not know and could hardly read.
RUPERTnounUS /ˈruːpərt/
English leader (born in Germany) of the Royalist forces during the English Civil War (1619-1682)
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
move stealthily
From this reading He picked up the slip of paper and, striking a light, looked at it.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
Steve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading He picked up the slip of paper and, striking a light, looked at it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The writing on it was in a cramped backhand that Steve did not know and could hardly read.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He picked up the slip of paper and, striking a light, looked at it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The writing on it was in a cramped backhand that Steve did not know and could hardly read.
at the time that
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
a Caucasian
From this reading CAPTAIN ALLEN FINDS RUPERT AND BREAKS THE LAW When Steve Allen stepped across his threshold he caught the gleam of something white lying on the floor just inside the door-sill.
the act of creating written works
From this reading The writing on it was in a cramped backhand that Steve did not know and could hardly read.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Your friend is in jail here on charge of murder.
