used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
acidadjectiveUS /ˈæsəd/
harsh or corrosive in tone
From this reading “By the way,” asked Frank, who had been busy taking stock of the various chemicals, “have you any picric acid here, father?”
a feeling of delighted approval and liking
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “By the way,” asked Frank, who had been busy taking stock of the various chemicals, “have you any picric acid here, father?”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “By the way,” asked Frank, who had been busy taking stock of the various chemicals, “have you any picric acid here, father?”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
BARNES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY BARNES TAKES THE WARPATH.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading BILLY BARNES TAKES THE WARPATH.
busiedverbUS /ˈbɪzid/
inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading “By the way,” asked Frank, who had been busy taking stock of the various chemicals, “have you any picric acid here, father?”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
chemicalsnounUS /ˈkemɪkəlz/
plural of “chemical” — material produced by or used in a reaction involving changes in atoms or molecules
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
chemistrynounUS /ˈkeməstri/
the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
dabverbUS /dæb/
apply (usually a liquid) to a surface
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
greatly pleased
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
equalled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
equippedadjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪpt/
provided or fitted out with what is necessary or useful or appropriate
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “By the way,” asked Frank, who had been busy taking stock of the various chemicals, “have you any picric acid here, father?”
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “By the way,” asked Frank, who had been busy taking stock of the various chemicals, “have you any picric acid here, father?”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
InstituteverbUS /ˈɪnstətuːt/
set up or lay the groundwork for
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
laboratorynounUS /ˈlæbrətɔːri/
a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
NicaraguannounUS /ˌnɪkərˈɑːɡwən/
a native or inhabitant of Nicaragua
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
and nothing more
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
picric
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “By the way,” asked Frank, who had been busy taking stock of the various chemicals, “have you any picric acid here, father?”
plantationnounUS /ˌplænˈteɪʃən/
an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
established beyond doubt
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
repositorynounUS /riˈpɑːzətɔːri/
a facility where things can be deposited for storage or safekeeping
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
ResearchnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃ/
systematic investigation to establish facts
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
researchesnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃɪz/
plural of “research” — systematic investigation to establish facts
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
ScientificadjectiveUS /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
of or relating to the practice of science
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading “By the way,” asked Frank, who had been busy taking stock of the various chemicals, “have you any picric acid here, father?”
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading BILLY BARNES TAKES THE WARPATH.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading “By the way,” asked Frank, who had been busy taking stock of the various chemicals, “have you any picric acid here, father?”
tapverbUS /tæp/
cut a female screw thread with a tap
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BILLY BARNES TAKES THE WARPATH.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The next day Frank and Harry busied themselves in their father’s laboratory during most of the morning.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading “By the way,” asked Frank, who had been busy taking stock of the various chemicals, “have you any picric acid here, father?”
WARPATHnounUS /ˈwɔːrpæθ/
hostile or belligerent mood
From this reading BILLY BARNES TAKES THE WARPATH.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “By the way,” asked Frank, who had been busy taking stock of the various chemicals, “have you any picric acid here, father?”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
which person or people
From this reading “By the way,” asked Frank, who had been busy taking stock of the various chemicals, “have you any picric acid here, father?”
workshopnounUS /ˈwɜːrkʃɑːp/
small workplace where handcrafts or manufacturing are done
From this reading They had been delighted to find such a completely equipped repository of chemicals as it proved to be, and their admiration of their father’s researches was only equalled by their natural surprise at finding such a workshop on a Nicaraguan plantation.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I always knew you were a great dab at chemistry, father,” remarked Harry, “but I never dreamed that you had a regular Institute of Scientific Research on tap.”
