used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
(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 WHAT THE TELEPHONE TOLD All West's indifference vanished instantly.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
from appearances alone
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
bladenounUS /bleɪd/
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
brought into existence
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
copyingnounUS /ˈkɑːpiɪŋ/
an act of copying
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
decipherverbUS /dɪˈsaɪfər/
convert code into ordinary language
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
desperationnounUS /ˌdespərˈeɪʃən/
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
digverbUS /dɪɡ/
turn up, loosen, or remove earth
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
discernableadjective
perceptible by the senses or intellect
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
divisible by two
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
unbiased impartial unconcern
From this reading WHAT THE TELEPHONE TOLD All West's indifference vanished instantly.
inscribedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈskraɪbd/
written (by handwriting, printing, engraving, or carving) on or in a surface
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
inspirationnounUS /ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən/
arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading WHAT THE TELEPHONE TOLD All West's indifference vanished instantly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
magnifyingverbUS /ˈmæɡnəfaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “magnify” — increase in size, volume or significance
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
a particular point in time
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
notifyverbUS /ˈnoʊtəfaɪ/
inform (somebody) of something
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
pencilnounUS /ˈpensəl/
a thin cylindrical pointed writing implement; a rod of marking substance encased in wood
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
by chance
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
pryverbUS /praɪ/
to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
scrapnounUS /skræp/
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
SeminolenounUS /ˈsemɪnoʊl/
a member of the Muskhogean people who moved into Florida in the 18th century
From this reading He fairly had to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search Seminole quick_."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
straightenverbUS /ˈstreɪtən/
straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
TELEPHONEnounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading WHAT THE TELEPHONE TOLD All West's indifference vanished instantly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHAT THE TELEPHONE TOLD All West's indifference vanished instantly.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading WHAT THE TELEPHONE TOLD All West's indifference vanished instantly.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
the act of using
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
usingnounUS /ˈjuːzɪŋ/
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
having passed out of existence
From this reading WHAT THE TELEPHONE TOLD All West's indifference vanished instantly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
wedgedadjectiveUS /wedʒd/
wedged or packed in together
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the desk.
West'snounUS /wests/
possessive form of “west” — the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading WHAT THE TELEPHONE TOLD All West's indifference vanished instantly.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT THE TELEPHONE TOLD All West's indifference vanished instantly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
the words that are spoken
From this reading A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation.
the act of creating written works
From this reading He had to pry the paper out, so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was discernable.
