used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
appliedadjectiveUS /əˈplaɪd/
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "Come back here, young man, and pay me for this dinner!
bangverbUS /bæŋ/
strike violently
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
burdenedadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrdənd/
bearing a heavy burden of work or difficulties or responsibilities
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
clatternounUS /ˈklætər/
a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Come back here, young man, and pay me for this dinner!
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading "Here!" she ordered, taking command on the instant.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
disrespectfuladjectiveUS /ˌdɪsrɪˈspektfəl/
exhibiting lack of respect; rude and discourteous
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading And Virginia Huff, you go out into the kitchen--how many times do I have to speak to you?"
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
epithetnounUS /ˈepəθet/
a defamatory or abusive word or phrase
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
the organ of sight
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
glimpsedverbUS /ɡlɪmpst/
past form of “glimpse” — catch a glimpse of or see briefly
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading And Virginia Huff, you go out into the kitchen--how many times do I have to speak to you?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
hair-trigger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And Virginia Huff, you go out into the kitchen--how many times do I have to speak to you?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Here!" she ordered, taking command on the instant.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Virginia Huff, you go out into the kitchen--how many times do I have to speak to you?"
HuffverbUS /hʌf/
inhale recreational drugs
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading And Virginia Huff, you go out into the kitchen--how many times do I have to speak to you?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading "Here!" she ordered, taking command on the instant.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading And Virginia Huff, you go out into the kitchen--how many times do I have to speak to you?"
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "Come back here, young man, and pay me for this dinner!
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading And Virginia Huff, you go out into the kitchen--how many times do I have to speak to you?"
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Come back here, young man, and pay me for this dinner!
a particular point in time
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
in motion
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Here!" she ordered, taking command on the instant.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading "Here!" she ordered, taking command on the instant.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading And Virginia Huff, you go out into the kitchen--how many times do I have to speak to you?"
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading "Come back here, young man, and pay me for this dinner!
platesnounUS /pleɪts/
plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
sensedadjectiveUS /senst/
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
SHOTGUNnounUS /ˈʃɑːtɡʌn/
firearm that is a double-barreled smoothbore shoulder weapon for firing shot at short ranges
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
that is looked for
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
express in speech
From this reading And Virginia Huff, you go out into the kitchen--how many times do I have to speak to you?"
in a swift manner
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading "Here!" she ordered, taking command on the instant.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Come back here, young man, and pay me for this dinner!
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading And Virginia Huff, you go out into the kitchen--how many times do I have to speak to you?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
in the direction of
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
traynounUS /treɪ/
an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
at the time that
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The disrespectful epithet which he had applied to her had been lost in the clatter of plates, but the moment the Widow came into the room she sensed the hair-trigger atmosphere.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
Wiley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE SHOTGUN WIDOW The Widow Huff was burdened with a tray and her eye sought wildly for Virginia but when she glimpsed Wiley moving swiftly towards the door she set down his dinner with a bang.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading And Virginia Huff, you go out into the kitchen--how many times do I have to speak to you?"
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "Come back here, young man, and pay me for this dinner!
