used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The whole community could not be conspiring just to play a joke on him.
agent'snounUS /ˈeɪdʒənts/
possessive form of “agent” — an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Before the old man reached the door he called him back.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the old man reached the door he called him back.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Before the old man reached the door he called him back.
communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/
a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading The whole community could not be conspiring just to play a joke on him.
conspiringverbUS /kənˈspaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “conspire” — engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together
From this reading The whole community could not be conspiring just to play a joke on him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The whole community could not be conspiring just to play a joke on him.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Before the old man reached the door he called him back.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There must be something in it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading The whole community could not be conspiring just to play a joke on him.
and nothing more
From this reading The whole community could not be conspiring just to play a joke on him.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
MAN'SnounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The whole community could not be conspiring just to play a joke on him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The whole community could not be conspiring just to play a joke on him.
participate in games or sport
From this reading The whole community could not be conspiring just to play a joke on him.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Before the old man reached the door he called him back.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There must be something in it.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There must be something in it.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE OLD MAN’S STORY The old man’s statement seemed so ridiculous that Scott hesitated to believe it.
a message informing of danger
From this reading He thought that the man must be making fun of him, but he recalled the station agent’s warning.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The whole community could not be conspiring just to play a joke on him.
