used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading "Things are shaping up pretty well, Commander," he replied, finally, with an air of unconcern.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Things are shaping up pretty well, Commander," he replied, finally, with an air of unconcern.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
react verbally
From this reading Captain Steve Strong didn't answer right away.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Things are shaping up pretty well, Commander," he replied, finally, with an air of unconcern.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Captain Steve Strong didn't answer right away.
next to; at the side of
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
bucklingverbUS /ˈbʌklɪŋ/
-ing form of “buckle” — fasten with a buckle or buckles
From this reading "The Earthworm units buckling down to business?"
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "The Earthworm units buckling down to business?"
CadetnounUS /kəˈdet/
a military trainee (as at a military academy)
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Captain Steve Strong didn't answer right away.
CommandernounUS /kəˈmændər/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Steve Strong didn't answer right away.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "The Earthworm units buckling down to business?"
EarthwormnounUS /ˈɜːrθwɜːrm/
terrestrial worm that burrows into and helps aerate soil; often surfaces when the ground is cool or wet; used as bait by anglers
From this reading "The Earthworm units buckling down to business?"
all things; all of a situation
From this reading "Well, Steve, how's everything going?"
eyeingverbUS /ˈaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “eye” — look at
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading "Things are shaping up pretty well, Commander," he replied, finally, with an air of unconcern.
the act of departing
From this reading "Well, Steve, how's everything going?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
how's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, Steve, how's everything going?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading "Things are shaping up pretty well, Commander," he replied, finally, with an air of unconcern.
quizzicallyadverb
in a quizzical and questioning manner
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Things are shaping up pretty well, Commander," he replied, finally, with an air of unconcern.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Captain Steve Strong didn't answer right away.
saluteverbUS /səˈluːt/
propose a toast to
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
shapingnounUS /ˈʃeɪpɪŋ/
any process serving to define the shape of something
From this reading "Things are shaping up pretty well, Commander," he replied, finally, with an air of unconcern.
slidewalk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
Steve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, Steve, how's everything going?"
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Captain Steve Strong didn't answer right away.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "Things are shaping up pretty well, Commander," he replied, finally, with an air of unconcern.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "The Earthworm units buckling down to business?"
unconcernnounUS /ˌʌnkənˈsɜːrn/
the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern
From this reading "Things are shaping up pretty well, Commander," he replied, finally, with an air of unconcern.
unitsnounUS /ˈjuːnəts/
plural of “unit” — any division of quantity accepted as a standard of measurement or exchange
From this reading "The Earthworm units buckling down to business?"
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Things are shaping up pretty well, Commander," he replied, finally, with an air of unconcern.
WaltersnounUS /ˈwɔːltərz/
plural of “walter” — German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
(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, Steve, how's everything going?"
which person or people
From this reading He returned the salute of a Space Cadet passing on the opposite slidewalk and then faced Commander Walters who stood beside him, eyeing him quizzically.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Things are shaping up pretty well, Commander," he replied, finally, with an air of unconcern.
