used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
advisabilitynounUS /ˌædvaɪzəˈbɪlɪti/
the quality of being advisable
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
react verbally
From this reading Jack declined to answer, but instead sat staring insolently at the towering figure.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Where come you from?" asked the German in his best and gruffest English.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading "Where come you from?" asked the German in his best and gruffest English.
burlyadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrli/
muscular and heavily built
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
business-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
captornounUS /ˈkæptər/
a person who captures and holds people or animals
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Where come you from?" asked the German in his best and gruffest English.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
debatedverbUS /dəˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “debate” — argue with one another
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
declinedverbUS /dɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “decline” — grow worse
From this reading Jack declined to answer, but instead sat staring insolently at the towering figure.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading "Where come you from?" asked the German in his best and gruffest English.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Jack declined to answer, but instead sat staring insolently at the towering figure.
with resolute determination
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
forefingernounUS /ˈfɔːrfɪŋɡər/
the finger next to the thumb
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Where come you from?" asked the German in his best and gruffest English.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
a person of German nationality
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
gruffest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Where come you from?" asked the German in his best and gruffest English.
Hammond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
insolentlyadverb
in an insolent manner
From this reading Jack declined to answer, but instead sat staring insolently at the towering figure.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Jack declined to answer, but instead sat staring insolently at the towering figure.
a small worthless amount
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
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 For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
a boy or man
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
NESTnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
compacted by ironing
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
PrussiannounUS /ˈprʌʃən/
a German inhabitant of Prussia
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
RAT'SnounUS /ræts/
possessive form of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading His reply was a shrug of the shoulders.
resistancenounUS /rɪˈzɪstəns/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Jack declined to answer, but instead sat staring insolently at the towering figure.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading His reply was a shrug of the shoulders.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
shrugnounUS /ʃrʌɡ/
a gesture involving the shoulders
From this reading His reply was a shrug of the shoulders.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Jack declined to answer, but instead sat staring insolently at the towering figure.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
carry out
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Jack declined to answer, but instead sat staring insolently at the towering figure.
toweringadjectiveUS /ˈtaʊərɪŋ/
of imposing height; especially standing out above others
From this reading Jack declined to answer, but instead sat staring insolently at the towering figure.
TrappedadjectiveUS /træpt/
forced to turn and face attackers
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
triggerverbUS /ˈtrɪɡər/
put in motion or move to act
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
in or at the place that
From this reading "Where come you from?" asked the German in his best and gruffest English.
wirelessnounUS /ˈwaɪrlɪs/
medium for communication
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN THE RAT'S NEST Trapped in the German wireless station with a burly Prussian at the other end of the business-looking revolver, Jack Hammond was completely at the mercy of his captor.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For a moment the American lad debated in his mind the advisability of knocking the weapon out of the hand of the German; but he noted the forefinger firmly pressed on the trigger and knew full well the least show of resistance would take him out of life altogether.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Where come you from?" asked the German in his best and gruffest English.
