used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And believe me, gentlemen, it had better be a very sensible explanation, too."
askewadjectiveUS /əsˈkjuː/
turned or twisted toward one side
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And believe me, gentlemen, it had better be a very sensible explanation, too."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading And believe me, gentlemen, it had better be a very sensible explanation, too."
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading And believe me, gentlemen, it had better be a very sensible explanation, too."
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
boilernounUS /ˈbɔɪlər/
sealed vessel where water is converted to steam
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
power to direct or determine
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
explodeverbUS /ɪkˈsploʊd/
cause to burst with a violent release of energy
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
floridadjectiveUS /ˈflɔːrəd/
elaborately or excessively ornamented
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading And believe me, gentlemen, it had better be a very sensible explanation, too."
glassesnounUS /ˈɡlæsəz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And believe me, gentlemen, it had better be a very sensible explanation, too."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading I would now like to hear it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
HugonounUS /ˈhjuːɡoʊ/
French poet and novelist and dramatist; leader of the romantic movement in France (1802-1885)
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I would now like to hear it.
LancetnounUS /ˈlænsət/
an acutely pointed Gothic arch, like a lance
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading I would now like to hear it.
fasten with a lock
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And believe me, gentlemen, it had better be a very sensible explanation, too."
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I would now like to hear it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
ominouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːmənəsli/
in an ominous manner
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
pathologistnounUS /pəˈθɑːlədʒəst/
a doctor who specializes in medical diagnosis
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
patrolnounUS /pəˈtroʊl/
a detachment used for security or reconnaissance
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading And believe me, gentlemen, it had better be a very sensible explanation, too."
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
TannernounUS /ˈtænər/
a small coin of the United Kingdom worth six pennies; not minted since 1970
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
thundercloudnoun
a dark cloud of great vertical extent charged with electricity; associated with thunderstorms
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
TIGERnounUS /ˈtaɪɡər/
a fierce or audacious person
From this reading TIGER MAKES A PROMISE "I think," Black Doctor Hugo Tanner said ominously, "that an explanation is in order.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I would now like to hear it.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading And believe me, gentlemen, it had better be a very sensible explanation, too."
precisely as stated
From this reading And believe me, gentlemen, it had better be a very sensible explanation, too."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The pathologist was sitting in the control room of the _Lancet_, his glasses slightly askew on his florid face.
wheezingadjectiveUS /ˈwiːzɪŋ/
relating to breathing with a whistling sound
From this reading He had climbed through the entrance lock ten minutes before, shaking snow off his cloak and wheezing like a boiler about to explode; now he faced the patrol ship's crew like a small but ominous black thundercloud.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I would now like to hear it.
