used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Had they done so, there probably would have been a different story to tell.
the state of being absent
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had they done so, there probably would have been a different story to tell.
uttered without voice
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
conspiratorsnounUS /kənˈspɪrətərz/
plural of “conspirator” — a member of a conspiracy
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
counternounUS /ˈkaʊntər/
table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
deemedverbUS /diːmd/
past form of “deem” — keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Lucky for us they didn't see what we did to the proprietor of that shop," said Jack.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Had they done so, there probably would have been a different story to tell.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Had they done so, there probably would have been a different story to tell.
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
divisible by two
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
FOILEDadjectiveUS /fɔɪld/
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading THE PLOTTERS FOILED.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Lucky for us they didn't see what we did to the proprietor of that shop," said Jack.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had they done so, there probably would have been a different story to tell.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had they done so, there probably would have been a different story to tell.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
occurring by chance
From this reading "Lucky for us they didn't see what we did to the proprietor of that shop," said Jack.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
on one occasion
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
PLOTTERSnounUS /ˈplɑːtərz/
plural of “plotter” — a planner who draws up a personal scheme of action
From this reading THE PLOTTERS FOILED.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Had they done so, there probably would have been a different story to tell.
proprietornounUS /prəˈpraɪətər/
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading "Lucky for us they didn't see what we did to the proprietor of that shop," said Jack.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Lucky for us they didn't see what we did to the proprietor of that shop," said Jack.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Lucky for us they didn't see what we did to the proprietor of that shop," said Jack.
do one's shopping
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
shopkeepernounUS /ˈʃɑːpkiːpər/
a merchant who owns or manages a shop
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Had they done so, there probably would have been a different story to tell.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Had they done so, there probably would have been a different story to tell.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
express in words
From this reading Had they done so, there probably would have been a different story to tell.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Lucky for us they didn't see what we did to the proprietor of that shop," said Jack.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PLOTTERS FOILED.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Had they done so, there probably would have been a different story to tell.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Had they done so, there probably would have been a different story to tell.
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Lucky for us they didn't see what we did to the proprietor of that shop," said Jack.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Lucky for us they didn't see what we did to the proprietor of that shop," said Jack.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Frank and Jack, once outside the store, breathed easier, and followed the conspirators at what they deemed a safe distance, nevertheless keeping close enough upon their heels not to lose sight of them should they turn into some place suddenly.
at the time that
From this reading When the conspirators passed through the tobacco shop they did not even glance toward the counter, and therefore did not notice the absence of the shopkeeper.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had they done so, there probably would have been a different story to tell.
