used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So Tom had driven out alone in the Flying Road Racer to have a chat with Ralph.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading He found the lad sitting up in bed, much better, thanks to the doctor’s ministrations, and eager to see his friend.
bedsidenounUS /ˈbedsaɪd/
space by the side of a bed (especially the bed of a sick or dying person)
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading He found the lad sitting up in bed, much better, thanks to the doctor’s ministrations, and eager to see his friend.
BowlernounUS /ˈboʊlər/
a cricketer who delivers the ball to the batsman in cricket
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
chatverbUS /tʃæt/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading So Tom had driven out alone in the Flying Road Racer to have a chat with Ralph.
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
doctor'snounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading He found the lad sitting up in bed, much better, thanks to the doctor’s ministrations, and eager to see his friend.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading So Tom had driven out alone in the Flying Road Racer to have a chat with Ralph.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading He found the lad sitting up in bed, much better, thanks to the doctor’s ministrations, and eager to see his friend.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
moving swiftly
From this reading So Tom had driven out alone in the Flying Road Racer to have a chat with Ralph.
set up or found
From this reading He found the lad sitting up in bed, much better, thanks to the doctor’s ministrations, and eager to see his friend.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He found the lad sitting up in bed, much better, thanks to the doctor’s ministrations, and eager to see his friend.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading So Tom had driven out alone in the Flying Road Racer to have a chat with Ralph.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
Ingersoll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
a small worthless amount
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
a boy or man
From this reading He found the lad sitting up in bed, much better, thanks to the doctor’s ministrations, and eager to see his friend.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
ministrationsnounUS /ˌmɪnəˈstreɪʃənz/
plural of “ministration” — assistance in time of difficulty
From this reading He found the lad sitting up in bed, much better, thanks to the doctor’s ministrations, and eager to see his friend.
modelnounUS /ˈmɑːdəl/
a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He found the lad sitting up in bed, much better, thanks to the doctor’s ministrations, and eager to see his friend.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading So Tom had driven out alone in the Flying Road Racer to have a chat with Ralph.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
RacernounUS /ˈreɪsər/
someone who drives racing cars at high speeds
From this reading So Tom had driven out alone in the Flying Road Racer to have a chat with Ralph.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
Ralph's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading So Tom had driven out alone in the Flying Road Racer to have a chat with Ralph.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading He found the lad sitting up in bed, much better, thanks to the doctor’s ministrations, and eager to see his friend.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So Tom had driven out alone in the Flying Road Racer to have a chat with Ralph.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
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 It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
Tallman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading He found the lad sitting up in bed, much better, thanks to the doctor’s ministrations, and eager to see his friend.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
propel through the air
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is now time to return to the bedside of Ralph Ingersoll, in the home of Dr. Tallman.
male cat
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He found the lad sitting up in bed, much better, thanks to the doctor’s ministrations, and eager to see his friend.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was evening and Tom, as he had promised, had returned to hear Ralph’s story and see what light he could throw on the fate of Jack and the stolen model.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Tom returned alone, Mr. Bowler having received an urgent telephone message on returning home, which commanded his presence at his office that evening.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So Tom had driven out alone in the Flying Road Racer to have a chat with Ralph.
