used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
(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 "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading "That's just it--that's just it," retorted Dobbins in a tone almost jubilant.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
ASTONISHINGadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
chuckledverbUS /ˈtʃʌkəld/
past form of “chuckle” — laugh quietly or with restraint
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
CLUEnounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
DobbinsnounUS /ˈdɑːbɪnz/
plural of “dobbin” — a quiet plodding workhorse
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
earnedadjectiveUS /ɜːrnd/
gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
forciblyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrsəbli/
in a forcible manner
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Frank had to smile.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
jubilantadjectiveUS /ˈdʒuːbələnt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading "That's just it--that's just it," retorted Dobbins in a tone almost jubilant.
and nothing more
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
full of life and energy
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
a form of address for a man
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
playfullyadverbUS /ˈpleɪfəli/
in a playful manner
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
pokingnounUS /ˈpoʊkɪŋ/
a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
past form of “retort” — answer back
From this reading "That's just it--that's just it," retorted Dobbins in a tone almost jubilant.
ribsnounUS /rɪbz/
plural of “rib” — support resembling the rib of an animal
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
schoolboynounUS /ˈskuːlbɔɪ/
a boy attending school
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
Sho
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
smashedadjectiveUS /smæʃt/
very drunk
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Frank had to smile.
spryadjectiveUS /spraɪ/
moving quickly and lightly
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
carry out
From this reading AN ASTONISHING CLUE "But I don't know," declared Frank forcibly, "and as I have _not_ earned any five dollars, of course I can't take it."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's just it--that's just it," retorted Dobbins in a tone almost jubilant.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Sho!" chuckled old Dobbins, dancing about Frank, as spry as a schoolboy and poking him playfully in the ribs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Frank had to smile.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "That's just it--that's just it," retorted Dobbins in a tone almost jubilant.
which person or people
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "See here, Mr. Dobbins," he observed, "it appears to me that you feel pretty lively for a man who has just had his house all smashed to pieces."
