used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
abstruseadjectiveUS /əbˈstruːs/
difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
From this reading Crane was seated at the desk, poring over an abstruse mathematical treatise in _Science_.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Crane was seated at the desk, poring over an abstruse mathematical treatise in _Science_.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Crane was seated at the desk, poring over an abstruse mathematical treatise in _Science_.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading "Well, this is a peaceful, home-like scene--too bad to bust it up.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Margaret was working upon a bit of embroidery.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
bustverbUS /bʌst/
ruin completely
From this reading "Well, this is a peaceful, home-like scene--too bad to bust it up.
chocolatesnounUS /ˈtʃɔːkləts/
plural of “chocolate” — a beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
power to direct or determine
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
convenientlyadverbUS /kənˈviːnjəntli/
in a convenient manner
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
CraneverbUS /kreɪn/
stretch (the neck) so as to see better
From this reading Crane was seated at the desk, poring over an abstruse mathematical treatise in _Science_.
cushionnounUS /ˈkʊʃən/
a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading Crane was seated at the desk, poring over an abstruse mathematical treatise in _Science_.
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
embroiderynounUS /emˈbrɔɪdəri/
elaboration of an interpretation by the use of decorative (sometimes fictitious) detail
From this reading Margaret was working upon a bit of embroidery.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
home-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, this is a peaceful, home-like scene--too bad to bust it up.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Well, this is a peaceful, home-like scene--too bad to bust it up.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margaret was working upon a bit of embroidery.
mathematicaladjectiveUS /ˌmæθəˈmætɪkəl/
of or pertaining to or of the nature of mathematics
From this reading Crane was seated at the desk, poring over an abstruse mathematical treatise in _Science_.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
oblongadjectiveUS /ˈɑːblɔːŋ/
(of a leaf shape) having a somewhat elongated form with approximately parallel sides
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Crane was seated at the desk, poring over an abstruse mathematical treatise in _Science_.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading "Well, this is a peaceful, home-like scene--too bad to bust it up.
poringverbUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “pore” — direct one's attention on something
From this reading Crane was seated at the desk, poring over an abstruse mathematical treatise in _Science_.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading "Well, this is a peaceful, home-like scene--too bad to bust it up.
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading Crane was seated at the desk, poring over an abstruse mathematical treatise in _Science_.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Crane was seated at the desk, poring over an abstruse mathematical treatise in _Science_.
Seaton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
strayingadjectiveUS /ˈstreɪɪŋ/
unable to find your way
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
strodeverbUS /stroʊd/
inflected form of “stride” — walk with long steps
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
TestedadjectiveUS /ˈtestɪd/
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Well, this is a peaceful, home-like scene--too bad to bust it up.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "Well, this is a peaceful, home-like scene--too bad to bust it up.
treatisenounUS /ˈtriːtəs/
a formal exposition
From this reading Crane was seated at the desk, poring over an abstruse mathematical treatise in _Science_.
tuckedadjectiveUS /tʌkt/
having tucked or being tucked
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Dorothy, seated upon a cushion on the floor with one foot tucked under her, was reading, her hand straying from time to time to a box of chocolates conveniently near.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Well, this is a peaceful, home-like scene--too bad to bust it up.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Margaret was working upon a bit of embroidery.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Crane was seated at the desk, poring over an abstruse mathematical treatise in _Science_.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, this is a peaceful, home-like scene--too bad to bust it up.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Margaret was working upon a bit of embroidery.
ZonenounUS /zoʊn/
a locally circumscribed place characterized by some distinctive features
From this reading The Zone of Force Is Tested Seaton strode into the control room with a small oblong box in his hand.
