used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
at or in the front
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
(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 Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
react verbally
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
awhileadverbUS /əˈwaɪl/
for a short time
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
badgeringnounUS /ˈbædʒərɪŋ/
the act of harassing someone
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
beardedadjectiveUS /ˈbɪrdəd/
having hair on the cheeks and chin
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
beratingnounUS /bɪˈreɪtɪŋ/
a severe rebuke
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
a youthful male person
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
breathlesslyadverbUS /ˈbreθləsli/
in a breathless manner
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
rid of obstructions
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
Clem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
Don'snounUS /dɑːnz/
possessive form of “don” — a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
move gently or carefully
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
hatchet-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
inflectionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈflekʃənz/
plural of “inflection” — a change in the form of a word (usually by adding a suffix) to indicate a change in its grammatical function
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
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 The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
a boy or man
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
the force of workers available
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
in the near future
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
with speed
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
express in words
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
suspiciousadjectiveUS /səˈspɪʃəs/
openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
TRACEDverbUS /treɪst/
past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
unmercifullyadverb
without pity; in a merciless manner
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TRACED Don’s face was a study as he suddenly left off berating his companion and listened quite breathlessly to the rising inflections of the bearded man making answer to his hatchet-faced companion.
accept gladly
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The boy was hearing something interesting; that Clem knew, and he waited with some impatience to find out what it might be.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Presently one of them turned suddenly and gave the lad a searching, suspicious glance; then with another word in a low tone the two stopped talking.
the words that are spoken
From this reading After awhile the two men in front began to exchange words much too rapidly for Don to get a clear idea what they were driving at.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Don maintained his position of leaning forward, his face at the back of the seat ahead for a few minutes, at the same time unmercifully badgering Clem until the men both turned to see what it was all about and to put them at ease Don laughed and made a motion with his head toward his companion, as much as to say he would welcome an audience.
