used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FIGHT FOR THE GOOD.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
move towards
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
brutalitynounUS /bruːˈtæləti/
the trait of extreme cruelty
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
crimsonadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmzən/
of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
enactedverbUS /eˈnæktəd/
past form of “enact” — order by virtue of superior authority; decree
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading A FIGHT FOR THE GOOD.
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A FIGHT FOR THE GOOD.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading A FIGHT FOR THE GOOD.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
huenounUS /hjuː/
the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
masculineadjectiveUS /ˈmæskjələn/
of grammatical gender
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
MikenounUS /maɪk/
device for converting sound waves into electrical energy
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
used to form the superlative
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
perchanceadverbUS /pərˈtʃæns/
through chance
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
redderadjectiveUS /ˈredər/
comparative of “red” — of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
rugnounUS /rʌɡ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
sensuousadjectiveUS /ˈsenʃəwəs/
taking delight in beauty
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
stalwartadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːlwərt/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A FIGHT FOR THE GOOD.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
trodverbUS /trɑːd/
inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
unmistakableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnmɪˈsteɪkəbəl/
clearly evident to the mind
From this reading It has been said that despite his red hair and an unmistakable air of brutality about him, Red Mike was a handsome man, stalwart, powerful, and sensuous in his appearance.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As a matter of fact he barely trod upon it at all, for he had not taken the second step before he discovered the scene that was being enacted before him, and halted.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
at the time that
From this reading His face, always of a redder hue than most masculine faces, flushed to a deep crimson when he came upon that scene in the parlor of the house boat, and he halted, and waited, and listened.
yieldingadjectiveUS /ˈjiːldɪŋ/
inclined to yield to argument or influence or control
From this reading Neither of the interested parties--if perchance both were interested--could see Red Mike; neither one had heard the sound of his approach, the opening of the door, or his tread upon the soft and yielding rug.
