used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Prale stared at the two detectives for an instant, his face flushed, and then he began to laugh.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Prale stared at the two detectives for an instant, his face flushed, and then he began to laugh.
announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/
a formal public statement
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
baldadjectiveUS /bɔːld/
with no effort to conceal
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Prale stared at the two detectives for an instant, his face flushed, and then he began to laugh.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The statement was like a blow between the eyes.
exhale hard
From this reading The statement was like a blow between the eyes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
detectivesnounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
plural of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading Prale stared at the two detectives for an instant, his face flushed, and then he began to laugh.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The statement was like a blow between the eyes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Prale stared at the two detectives for an instant, his face flushed, and then he began to laugh.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading Prale stared at the two detectives for an instant, his face flushed, and then he began to laugh.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Prale stared at the two detectives for an instant, his face flushed, and then he began to laugh.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "It isn't a laughing matter, Mr. Prale," one of the detectives told him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Prale stared at the two detectives for an instant, his face flushed, and then he began to laugh.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't a laughing matter, Mr. Prale," one of the detectives told him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It isn't a laughing matter, Mr. Prale," one of the detectives told him.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Prale stared at the two detectives for an instant, his face flushed, and then he began to laugh.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading "It isn't a laughing matter, Mr. Prale," one of the detectives told him.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The statement was like a blow between the eyes.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "It isn't a laughing matter, Mr. Prale," one of the detectives told him.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "It isn't a laughing matter, Mr. Prale," one of the detectives told him.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "It isn't a laughing matter, Mr. Prale," one of the detectives told him.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
Prale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
shockedadjectiveUS /ʃɑːkt/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
SidneynounUS /ˈsɪdni/
English poet (1554-1586)
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Prale stared at the two detectives for an instant, his face flushed, and then he began to laugh.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading The statement was like a blow between the eyes.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The statement was like a blow between the eyes.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Prale stared at the two detectives for an instant, his face flushed, and then he began to laugh.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But never had he experienced such a feeling as he did at this bald announcement of a police detective.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading EVIDENCE Many times in his life, Sidney Prale had been greatly surprised, astonished, shocked.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Prale stared at the two detectives for an instant, his face flushed, and then he began to laugh.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading "It isn't a laughing matter, Mr. Prale," one of the detectives told him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Prale stared at the two detectives for an instant, his face flushed, and then he began to laugh.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The statement was like a blow between the eyes.
