adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "After all, this is only a matter of business," he said, "with all of us.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Clay slapped the table with an exclamation of impatience.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Clay sat with pursed lips looking at Stuart.
bareadjectiveUS /ber/
completely unclothed
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
bayonetsnounUS /ˈbeɪənets/
plural of “bayonet” — a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
boysnounUS /bɔɪz/
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
BurkenounUS /bɜːrk/
British statesman famous for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system (1729-1797)
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "After all, this is only a matter of business," he said, "with all of us.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
ClaynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading Clay sat with pursed lips looking at Stuart.
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
cryverbUS /kraɪ/
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
dust-coveredadjective
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/
plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading Clay slapped the table with an exclamation of impatience.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "After all, this is only a matter of business," he said, "with all of us.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
From this reading Clay slapped the table with an exclamation of impatience.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "After all, this is only a matter of business," he said, "with all of us.
lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/
moving slowly and gently
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
leanedverbUS /liːnd/
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/
in an unhurried way or at one's convenience
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
lipsnounUS /lɪps/
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Clay sat with pursed lips looking at Stuart.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Clay sat with pursed lips looking at Stuart.
lotterynounUS /ˈlɑːtəri/
something that is regarded as a chance event
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
match-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "After all, this is only a matter of business," he said, "with all of us.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading "After all, this is only a matter of business," he said, "with all of us.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
patternounUS /ˈpætər/
plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
pocketsnounUS /ˈpɑːkəts/
plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
provincesnounUS /ˈprɑːvənsəz/
plural of “province” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
pursedverbUS /pɜːrst/
past form of “purse” — contract one's lips into a rounded shape
From this reading Clay sat with pursed lips looking at Stuart.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "After all, this is only a matter of business," he said, "with all of us.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Clay sat with pursed lips looking at Stuart.
searchingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
shoesnounUS /ʃuːz/
a particular situation
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
slappedverbUS /slæpt/
inflected form of “slap” — hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand
From this reading Clay slapped the table with an exclamation of impatience.
soldiersnounUS /ˈsoʊldʒərz/
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
staredverbUS /sterd/
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
StuartnounUS /ˈstuːərt/
United States painter best known for his portraits of George Washington (1755-1828)
From this reading Clay sat with pursed lips looking at Stuart.
swiftadjectiveUS /swɪft/
moving very fast
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Clay slapped the table with an exclamation of impatience.
tablesnounUS /ˈteɪbəlz/
plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "After all, this is only a matter of business," he said, "with all of us.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
ticketsnounUS /ˈtɪkəts/
plural of “ticket” — a commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on public transportation or to enter a public entertainment)
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
unevenadjectiveUS /əˈniːvən/
not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "After all, this is only a matter of business," he said, "with all of us.
vendornounUS /ˈvendər/
someone who promotes or exchanges goods or services for money
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading From outside came the lazy cry of a vendor of lottery tickets, and the swift, uneven patter of bare feet, as company after company of dust-covered soldiers passed on their way from the provinces, with their shoes swinging from their bayonets.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The two boys leaned with their elbows on the tables and stared at Burke, who was searching leisurely through his pockets for his match-box.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Clay sat with pursed lips looking at Stuart.
