used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
alivenessnoun
the condition of living or the state of being alive
From this reading And only the sharpest observer would have noted the leashed aliveness of the instrument of sinew and muscle which was his body.
(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 _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
averageadjectiveUS /ˈævərɪdʒ/
approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
Berserkernoun
one of the ancient Norse warriors legendary for working themselves into a frenzy before a battle and fighting with reckless savagery and insane fury
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading And only the sharpest observer would have noted the leashed aliveness of the instrument of sinew and muscle which was his body.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
conspicuousadjectiveUS /kənˈspɪkjuːəs/
obvious to the eye or mind
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And only the sharpest observer would have noted the leashed aliveness of the instrument of sinew and muscle which was his body.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
he'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
ten 10s
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading And only the sharpest observer would have noted the leashed aliveness of the instrument of sinew and muscle which was his body.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
leashedverbUS /liːʃt/
past form of “leash” — fasten with a rope
From this reading And only the sharpest observer would have noted the leashed aliveness of the instrument of sinew and muscle which was his body.
provided with artificial light
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
the force of workers available
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Satisfied, he moved on.
musclenounUS /ˈmʌsəl/
one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading And only the sharpest observer would have noted the leashed aliveness of the instrument of sinew and muscle which was his body.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading And only the sharpest observer would have noted the leashed aliveness of the instrument of sinew and muscle which was his body.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading And only the sharpest observer would have noted the leashed aliveness of the instrument of sinew and muscle which was his body.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
and nothing more
From this reading And only the sharpest observer would have noted the leashed aliveness of the instrument of sinew and muscle which was his body.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
Ostby's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
other-dimensional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
participate in games or sport
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Satisfied, he moved on.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
sharpestadjectiveUS /ˈʃɑːrpəst/
superlative of “sharp” — (of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading And only the sharpest observer would have noted the leashed aliveness of the instrument of sinew and muscle which was his body.
sidewalknounUS /ˈsaɪdwɔːk/
walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
sinewnoun
a cord or band of inelastic tissue connecting a muscle with its bony attachment
From this reading And only the sharpest observer would have noted the leashed aliveness of the instrument of sinew and muscle which was his body.
single-mindedadjective
determined
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
thirty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːrdifaɪv/
being five more than thirty
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
Twas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
at the time that
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
in or at the place that
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And only the sharpest observer would have noted the leashed aliveness of the instrument of sinew and muscle which was his body.
which person or people
From this reading He observed the faces of the men who passed him by, and the figures of those across the street, and up and down the sidewalk.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _'Twas said of The Berserker ... "when an opening comes he'll play for it, and he'll do it with a single-minded violence._" All of Big Jim Ostby's attention seemed on the cigar as he lit it, but it was not.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Ostby's six feet four, and two hundred thirty-five pounds, were not conspicuous on this other-dimensional world, where his size was but little above average.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And only the sharpest observer would have noted the leashed aliveness of the instrument of sinew and muscle which was his body.
