used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
AcenounUS /eɪs/
the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was Ace.
Allen'snounUS /ˈælənz/
possessive form of “allen” — United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
blinkingadjectiveUS /ˈblɪŋkɪŋ/
closing the eyes intermittently and rapidly
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔːrəs/
any utterance produced simultaneously by a group
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
derisiveadjectiveUS /dərˈɪsɪv/
abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
Dunlavey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Then the first man entered.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Then the first man entered.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
a long fixed look
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
grinnedverbUS /ɡrɪnd/
inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
HANDLINGnounUS /ˈhændlɪŋ/
manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Ace.
the sound of laughing
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
Norton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
occupantsnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənts/
plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
presumablyadverbUS /prəˈzuːməbli/
by reasonable assumption
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the first man entered.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading HANDLING THE LAW Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Ace.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading There were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's.
