used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
Alan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The lobby was dark and dimly lit, and smelled faintly musty.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
lacking funds
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The lobby was dark and dimly lit, and smelled faintly musty.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading The lobby was dark and dimly lit, and smelled faintly musty.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading If you make so much money gambling, why do you live in a place like this?
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading The lobby was dark and dimly lit, and smelled faintly musty.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Alan was unprepared for the shabbiness of the house where the gambler lived.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
gamblernounUS /ˈɡæmblər/
a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events
From this reading Alan was unprepared for the shabbiness of the house where the gambler lived.
gamblingnounUS /ˈɡæmbəlɪŋ/
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
From this reading If you make so much money gambling, why do you live in a place like this?
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Alan was unprepared for the shabbiness of the house where the gambler lived.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If you make so much money gambling, why do you live in a place like this?
impertinentadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɜːrtənənt/
characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
imposingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊzɪŋ/
impressive in appearance
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading If you make so much money gambling, why do you live in a place like this?
provided with artificial light
From this reading The lobby was dark and dimly lit, and smelled faintly musty.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading If you make so much money gambling, why do you live in a place like this?
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Alan was unprepared for the shabbiness of the house where the gambler lived.
lobbynounUS /ˈlɑːbi/
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading The lobby was dark and dimly lit, and smelled faintly musty.
engage in
From this reading If you make so much money gambling, why do you live in a place like this?
MaxnounUS /mæks/
street names for gamma hydroxybutyrate
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
a particular point in time
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading If you make so much money gambling, why do you live in a place like this?
to a great degree or extent
From this reading If you make so much money gambling, why do you live in a place like this?
mustyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌsti/
covered with or smelling of mold
From this reading The lobby was dark and dimly lit, and smelled faintly musty.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
on one occasion
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
photobeam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading If you make so much money gambling, why do you live in a place like this?
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
on the contrary
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
rustily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
shabbinessnoun
a lack of elegance as a consequence of wearing threadbare or dirty clothing
From this reading Alan was unprepared for the shabbiness of the house where the gambler lived.
smelledverbUS /smeld/
past form of “smell” — inhale the odor of; perceive by the olfactory sense
From this reading The lobby was dark and dimly lit, and smelled faintly musty.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If you make so much money gambling, why do you live in a place like this?
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If you make so much money gambling, why do you live in a place like this?
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Alan followed him through a gate that had once been imposing; now it swung open rather rustily as they broke the photobeam in front of it.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading A moment after he spoke, he realized the question was highly impertinent, but by then it was too late: "I don't understand, Max.
unpreparedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnpriˈperd/
without preparation; not prepared for
From this reading Alan was unprepared for the shabbiness of the house where the gambler lived.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The lobby was dark and dimly lit, and smelled faintly musty.
in or at the place that
From this reading Alan was unprepared for the shabbiness of the house where the gambler lived.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading If you make so much money gambling, why do you live in a place like this?
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If you make so much money gambling, why do you live in a place like this?
