used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
alarmingadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːrmɪŋ/
frightening because of an awareness of danger
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "What do you make of it, Pete?" asked Jack.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Stumped, by the big horn spoon!" was the expressive response.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Stumped, by the big horn spoon!" was the expressive response.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What do you make of it, Pete?" asked Jack.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
expressiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspresɪv/
characterized by expression
From this reading "Stumped, by the big horn spoon!" was the expressive response.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
hornnounUS /hɔːrn/
a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading "Stumped, by the big horn spoon!" was the expressive response.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
inexplicableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəkˈsplɪsəbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
inquiringadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪərɪŋ/
given to inquiry
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
a small worthless amount
From this reading "What do you make of it, Pete?" asked Jack.
engage in
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
Pete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What do you make of it, Pete?" asked Jack.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading SOME QUEER TRACKS.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading "Stumped, by the big horn spoon!" was the expressive response.
express in words
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
shapesnounUS /ʃeɪps/
plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading SOME QUEER TRACKS.
spoonnounUS /spuːn/
a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food
From this reading "Stumped, by the big horn spoon!" was the expressive response.
StumpedverbUS /stʌmpt/
past form of “stump” — cause to be perplexed or confounded
From this reading "Stumped, by the big horn spoon!" was the expressive response.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
TRACKSnounUS /træks/
plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading SOME QUEER TRACKS.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
vanishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What do you make of it, Pete?" asked Jack.
whiteradjectiveUS /ˈwaɪtər/
comparative of “white” — being of the achromatic color of maximum lightness; having little or no hue owing to reflection of almost all incident light
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The hour, the surroundings, and the utter mystery of the whole affair combined to make the sudden appearance and vanishment of the great shadowy shapes the more inexplicable, not to say alarming.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Small wonder was it that the inquiring faces that turned toward each other were a trifle whiter than usual.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What do you make of it, Pete?" asked Jack.
