used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But those brave folks had no idea that it was an affair of robbery.”
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading “Not at once; they began by being afraid.”
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But those brave folks had no idea that it was an affair of robbery.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “And did they arrest the man?”
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “No, nor any pleasant excitement in being robbed!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
arrestverbUS /ərˈest/
take into custody
From this reading “And did they arrest the man?”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Not at once; they began by being afraid.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “Not at once; they began by being afraid.”
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading “Not at once; they began by being afraid.”
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading But those brave folks had no idea that it was an affair of robbery.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But those brave folks had no idea that it was an affair of robbery.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Not at once; they began by being afraid.”
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “And did they arrest the man?”
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading “No, nor any pleasant excitement in being robbed!
your parents
From this reading But those brave folks had no idea that it was an affair of robbery.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But those brave folks had no idea that it was an affair of robbery.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But those brave folks had no idea that it was an affair of robbery.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But those brave folks had no idea that it was an affair of robbery.”
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “And did they arrest the man?”
not any; not one
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading “No, nor any pleasant excitement in being robbed!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not at once; they began by being afraid.”
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
on one occasion
From this reading “Not at once; they began by being afraid.”
in other respects or ways
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading “No, nor any pleasant excitement in being robbed!
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
robbedverbUS /rɑːbd/
inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
robberynounUS /ˈrɑːbəri/
larceny by threat of violence
From this reading But those brave folks had no idea that it was an affair of robbery.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “And did they arrest the man?”
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “And did they arrest the man?”
thiefnounUS /θiːf/
a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
thievesnounUS /θiːvz/
plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But those brave folks had no idea that it was an affair of robbery.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But those brave folks had no idea that it was an affair of robbery.”
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
at the time that
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
which person or people
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Of course, it’s always that way that people who have been robbed begin when they are in the presence of thieves; otherwise there would be no object in being a thief.”
