used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As one of them started forward John stooped and grasped the empty whisky bottle on the floor at his feet.
a line of approach
From this reading From his crouching position he leaped toward the window, his only avenue of escape.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
bashers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
bedsteadnoun
the framework of a bed
From this reading The iron bedstead was between him and the two thugs.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The iron bedstead was between him and the two thugs.
black-jack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped
From this reading As one of them started forward John stooped and grasped the empty whisky bottle on the floor at his feet.
boxernounUS /ˈbɑːksər/
someone who fights with his fists for sport
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
bruisers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading From his crouching position he leaped toward the window, his only avenue of escape.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading As one of them started forward John stooped and grasped the empty whisky bottle on the floor at his feet.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading From his crouching position he leaped toward the window, his only avenue of escape.
opinion or judgment
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading As one of them started forward John stooped and grasped the empty whisky bottle on the floor at his feet.
fistnounUS /fɪst/
a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading As one of them started forward John stooped and grasped the empty whisky bottle on the floor at his feet.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading As one of them started forward John stooped and grasped the empty whisky bottle on the floor at his feet.
fractionnounUS /ˈfrækʃən/
a component of a mixture that has been separated by a fractional process
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
glaringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlerɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
graspedverbUS /ɡræspt/
past form of “grasp” — hold firmly
From this reading As one of them started forward John stooped and grasped the empty whisky bottle on the floor at his feet.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The iron bedstead was between him and the two thugs.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading The iron bedstead was between him and the two thugs.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading As one of them started forward John stooped and grasped the empty whisky bottle on the floor at his feet.
knucklesnounUS /ˈnʌkəlz/
(used in the plural) a small metal weapon; worn over the knuckles on the back of the hand
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading From his crouching position he leaped toward the window, his only avenue of escape.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
being perceived or observed
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
and nothing more
From this reading From his crouching position he leaped toward the window, his only avenue of escape.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
overcameverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “overcome” — win a victory over
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading From his crouching position he leaped toward the window, his only avenue of escape.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
precisely, exactly
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
cut with a saw
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
self-possessionnoun
the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
SlimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
Slim's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As one of them started forward John stooped and grasped the empty whisky bottle on the floor at his feet.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
stoopedadjectiveUS /stuːpt/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading As one of them started forward John stooped and grasped the empty whisky bottle on the floor at his feet.
tensenounUS /tens/
a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As one of them started forward John stooped and grasped the empty whisky bottle on the floor at his feet.
thugsnounUS /θʌɡz/
plural of “thug” — an aggressive and violent young criminal
From this reading The iron bedstead was between him and the two thugs.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading From his crouching position he leaped toward the window, his only avenue of escape.
trainingnounUS /ˈtreɪnɪŋ/
activity leading to skilled behavior
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In the fraction of the second that he stood facing "Slim" Gray and the two bruisers, tense and glaring, the cool self-possession he had acquired in his training as a boxer overcame his mental confusion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The iron bedstead was between him and the two thugs.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
whiskynounUS /ˈwɪski/
a liquor made from fermented mash of grain
From this reading As one of them started forward John stooped and grasped the empty whisky bottle on the floor at his feet.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading From his crouching position he leaped toward the window, his only avenue of escape.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading With one quick glance he saw the cold hate gleaming in "Slim's" eyes as he stood with his back flat against the door and noticed that one of the "bashers" wore brass knuckles on his right fist, while the other had pulled a black-jack from his pocket.
