used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
(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 Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, Step Hen had never been a shining light in this code business.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
cause to be bored
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
the act of burning something
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, Step Hen had never been a shining light in this code business.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
codenounUS /koʊd/
a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)
From this reading Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, Step Hen had never been a shining light in this code business.
carefully weighed
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, Step Hen had never been a shining light in this code business.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading There had been plenty of things he much preferred to this sort of detail work.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
flagsnounUS /flæɡz/
plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
handleverbUS /ˈhændəl/
be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
HennounUS /hen/
adult female chicken
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, Step Hen had never been a shining light in this code business.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
and nothing more
From this reading Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, Step Hen had never been a shining light in this code business.
in the recent past
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
the literary culture
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, Step Hen had never been a shining light in this code business.
locationnounUS /loʊˈkeɪʃən/
a point or extent in space
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading There had been plenty of things he much preferred to this sort of detail work.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, Step Hen had never been a shining light in this code business.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, Step Hen had never been a shining light in this code business.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
and nothing more
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
a full supply
From this reading There had been plenty of things he much preferred to this sort of detail work.
more desirable than another
From this reading There had been plenty of things he much preferred to this sort of detail work.
protestnounUS /ˈproʊtest/
a formal and solemn declaration of objection
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
on the contrary
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
regretfullyadverbUS /rɪˈɡretfəli/
with regret (used in polite formulas)
From this reading Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, Step Hen had never been a shining light in this code business.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, Step Hen had never been a shining light in this code business.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
Smathers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading There had been plenty of things he much preferred to this sort of detail work.
splinterverbUS /ˈsplɪntər/
withdraw from an organization or communion
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WARNING.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been plenty of things he much preferred to this sort of detail work.
a special situation
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading There had been plenty of things he much preferred to this sort of detail work.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Just as he had himself declared, regretfully now, Step Hen had never been a shining light in this code business.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
TobynounUS /ˈtoʊbi/
a drinking mug in the shape of a stout man wearing a three-cornered hat
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
trembleverbUS /ˈtrembəl/
move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
a message informing of danger
From this reading THE WARNING.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
at the time that
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Indeed, up to lately, he had rather considered the whole thing something of a great bore; and when ordered out on the hills to wave signal flags, he had only obeyed under protest.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading There had been plenty of things he much preferred to this sort of detail work.
produce a literary work
From this reading Step Hen was all of a tremble when he first began to handle that burning splinter of wood, provided by Toby Smathers, to serve as a fiery pen; and with which he hoped to write letters in the dark background he had chosen for his location.
