used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Not a word about this to anybody, mind, Cottingham,” he remarked now to the Inspector at his side.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
any person at all
From this reading “Not a word about this to anybody, mind, Cottingham,” he remarked now to the Inspector at his side.
arduousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdʒuːəs/
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Not a word about this to anybody, mind, Cottingham,” he remarked now to the Inspector at his side.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Colonel had been careful not to rub things in too much, but Inspector Cottingham was a disillusioned man.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading The Colonel had been careful not to rub things in too much, but Inspector Cottingham was a disillusioned man.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
continuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəs/
continuing in time or space without interruption
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
Cottingham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Not a word about this to anybody, mind, Cottingham,” he remarked now to the Inspector at his side.
crestfallenadjectiveUS /ˈkrestfɔːlən/
brought low in spirit
From this reading “No, sir,” said the crestfallen Inspector.
dapperadjectiveUS /ˈdæpər/
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
disillusionedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsɪˈluːʒənd/
freed from illusion
From this reading The Colonel had been careful not to rub things in too much, but Inspector Cottingham was a disillusioned man.
the organ of sight
From this reading He threw a thoughtful glance round and his eye kindled.
footprintnounUS /ˈfʊtprɪnt/
a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He threw a thoughtful glance round and his eye kindled.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He threw a thoughtful glance round and his eye kindled.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Colonel had been careful not to rub things in too much, but Inspector Cottingham was a disillusioned man.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading “Not a word about this to anybody, mind, Cottingham,” he remarked now to the Inspector at his side.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
kindledadjectiveUS /ˈkɪndəld/
set afire
From this reading He threw a thoughtful glance round and his eye kindled.
immediately past
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
for more time
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The Colonel had been careful not to rub things in too much, but Inspector Cottingham was a disillusioned man.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading “Not a word about this to anybody, mind, Cottingham,” he remarked now to the Inspector at his side.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The Colonel had been careful not to rub things in too much, but Inspector Cottingham was a disillusioned man.
not any; not one
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not a word about this to anybody, mind, Cottingham,” he remarked now to the Inspector at his side.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Not a word about this to anybody, mind, Cottingham,” he remarked now to the Inspector at his side.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
Ratcliffe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading “Not a word about this to anybody, mind, Cottingham,” he remarked now to the Inspector at his side.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He threw a thoughtful glance round and his eye kindled.
rubverbUS /rʌb/
move over something with pressure
From this reading The Colonel had been careful not to rub things in too much, but Inspector Cottingham was a disillusioned man.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “No, sir,” said the crestfallen Inspector.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading “Not a word about this to anybody, mind, Cottingham,” he remarked now to the Inspector at his side.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
term of address for a man
From this reading “No, sir,” said the crestfallen Inspector.
stiffenverbUS /ˈstɪfən/
become stiff or stiffer
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
stoopingadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpɪŋ/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The Colonel had been careful not to rub things in too much, but Inspector Cottingham was a disillusioned man.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Not a word about this to anybody, mind, Cottingham,” he remarked now to the Inspector at his side.
thoughtfuladjectiveUS /ˈθɔːtfəl/
having intellectual depth
From this reading He threw a thoughtful glance round and his eye kindled.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading He threw a thoughtful glance round and his eye kindled.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The Colonel had been careful not to rub things in too much, but Inspector Cottingham was a disillusioned man.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading “Not a word about this to anybody, mind, Cottingham,” he remarked now to the Inspector at his side.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Various People Get Busy Colonel Ratcliffe straightened himself up from the last footprint with a sigh of relief; he was no longer as young as he had been, and continuous stooping is a little arduous for a frame, however dapper, that is beginning to stiffen.
