used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Carrying on the tasks of the rightful officers, but with a difference.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading And that difference would almost certainly be criminal activity on a wide and daring scale.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading And that difference would almost certainly be criminal activity on a wide and daring scale.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And that difference would almost certainly be criminal activity on a wide and daring scale.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading Masks have only one purpose: to enable the wearer to avoid being recognized.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Masks have only one purpose: to enable the wearer to avoid being recognized.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Carrying on the tasks of the rightful officers, but with a difference.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading And that difference would almost certainly be criminal activity on a wide and daring scale.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What else _could_ it mean?
criminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading And that difference would almost certainly be criminal activity on a wide and daring scale.
a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
From this reading And that difference would almost certainly be criminal activity on a wide and daring scale.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading Carrying on the tasks of the rightful officers, but with a difference.
displacedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪst/
past form of “displace” — cause to move, usually with force or pressure
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What else _could_ it mean?
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading Masks have only one purpose: to enable the wearer to avoid being recognized.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Masks have only one purpose: to enable the wearer to avoid being recognized.
identitiesnounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiːz/
plural of “identity” — the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading What else _could_ it mean?
mannedadjectiveUS /mænd/
having a crew
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
MasksnounUS /mæsks/
plural of “mask” — a covering to disguise or conceal the face
From this reading Masks have only one purpose: to enable the wearer to avoid being recognized.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading What else _could_ it mean?
the force of workers available
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
obviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Masks have only one purpose: to enable the wearer to avoid being recognized.
and nothing more
From this reading Masks have only one purpose: to enable the wearer to avoid being recognized.
phonynounUS /ˈfoʊni/
a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Masks have only one purpose: to enable the wearer to avoid being recognized.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Masks have only one purpose: to enable the wearer to avoid being recognized.
rightfuladjectiveUS /ˈraɪtfəl/
legally valid
From this reading Carrying on the tasks of the rightful officers, but with a difference.
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading And that difference would almost certainly be criminal activity on a wide and daring scale.
StationsnounUS /ˈsteɪʃənz/
(Roman Catholic Church) a devotion consisting of fourteen prayers said before a series of fourteen pictures or carvings representing successive incidents during Jesus' passage from Pilate's house to his crucifixion at Calvary
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
tasksnounUS /tæsks/
plural of “task” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And that difference would almost certainly be criminal activity on a wide and daring scale.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Masks have only one purpose: to enable the wearer to avoid being recognized.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Masks have only one purpose: to enable the wearer to avoid being recognized.
wearernounUS /ˈwerər/
a person who wears or carries or displays something as a body covering or accessory
From this reading Masks have only one purpose: to enable the wearer to avoid being recognized.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What else _could_ it mean?
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Quite obviously the phony officers could be wearing masks for only one reason: to conceal their real identities while they manned the Stations, carrying on the tasks of the men they had displaced.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading And that difference would almost certainly be criminal activity on a wide and daring scale.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Carrying on the tasks of the rightful officers, but with a difference.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And that difference would almost certainly be criminal activity on a wide and daring scale.
