used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The quartermaster eyed the two boys sternly for a moment.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Carry on!” he commanded, the suspicion of a smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He did not ask any of the other men who had thrown the pie.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading He did not ask any of the other men who had thrown the pie.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The quartermaster eyed the two boys sternly for a moment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he hid the smile from them by passing a hand over his mouth.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But he hid the smile from them by passing a hand over his mouth.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading “Carry on!” he commanded, the suspicion of a smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading No one moved in obedience to his command.
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading “Carry on!” he commanded, the suspicion of a smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading “Carry on!” he commanded, the suspicion of a smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not ask any of the other men who had thrown the pie.
eyedadjectiveUS /aɪd/
having an eye or eyes or eyelike feature especially as specified; often used in combination
From this reading The quartermaster eyed the two boys sternly for a moment.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The quartermaster eyed the two boys sternly for a moment.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But he hid the smile from them by passing a hand over his mouth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He did not ask any of the other men who had thrown the pie.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading But he hid the smile from them by passing a hand over his mouth.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not ask any of the other men who had thrown the pie.
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading But he hid the smile from them by passing a hand over his mouth.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Carry on!” he commanded, the suspicion of a smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No one moved in obedience to his command.
the force of workers available
From this reading He did not ask any of the other men who had thrown the pie.
a particular point in time
From this reading The quartermaster eyed the two boys sternly for a moment.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading “Carry on!” he commanded, the suspicion of a smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading No one moved in obedience to his command.
not any; not one
From this reading No one moved in obedience to his command.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not ask any of the other men who had thrown the pie.
obediencenounUS /oʊˈbiːdiəns/
the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person
From this reading No one moved in obedience to his command.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He did not ask any of the other men who had thrown the pie.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Carry on!” he commanded, the suspicion of a smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one moved in obedience to his command.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He did not ask any of the other men who had thrown the pie.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But he hid the smile from them by passing a hand over his mouth.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading But he hid the smile from them by passing a hand over his mouth.
pienounUS /paɪ/
dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top
From this reading He did not ask any of the other men who had thrown the pie.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading “Carry on!” he commanded, the suspicion of a smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
quartermasternounUS /ˈkwɔːrtərmæstər/
an army officer who provides clothing and subsistence for troops
From this reading The quartermaster eyed the two boys sternly for a moment.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading “Carry on!” he commanded, the suspicion of a smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
sternlyadverbUS /ˈstɜːrnli/
with sternness; in a severe manner
From this reading The quartermaster eyed the two boys sternly for a moment.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading “Carry on!” he commanded, the suspicion of a smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The quartermaster eyed the two boys sternly for a moment.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But he hid the smile from them by passing a hand over his mouth.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading He did not ask any of the other men who had thrown the pie.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No one moved in obedience to his command.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The quartermaster eyed the two boys sternly for a moment.
which person or people
From this reading He did not ask any of the other men who had thrown the pie.
