used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Suspicions of suicide, and of kidnaping for ransom, have not been confirmed."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Yet hardly was this story printed when extraordinary rumors began to be heard.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading No clue to his whereabouts has been found either at his lodgings or his place of employment.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Yet hardly was this story printed when extraordinary rumors began to be heard.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
cluenounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading No clue to his whereabouts has been found either at his lodgings or his place of employment.
confirmedadjectiveUS /kənˈfɜːrmd/
of persons; not subject to change
From this reading Suspicions of suicide, and of kidnaping for ransom, have not been confirmed."
createdverbUS /kriˈeɪtəd/
past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
disappearancenounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
one or the other of two
From this reading No clue to his whereabouts has been found either at his lodgings or his place of employment.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
employmentnounUS /emˈplɔɪmənt/
the state of being employed or having a job
From this reading No clue to his whereabouts has been found either at his lodgings or his place of employment.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading Yet hardly was this story printed when extraordinary rumors began to be heard.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Suspicions of suicide, and of kidnaping for ransom, have not been confirmed."
set up or found
From this reading No clue to his whereabouts has been found either at his lodgings or his place of employment.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
only a very short time before
From this reading Yet hardly was this story printed when extraordinary rumors began to be heard.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Yet hardly was this story printed when extraordinary rumors began to be heard.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading No clue to his whereabouts has been found either at his lodgings or his place of employment.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
incidentallyadverbUS /ˌɪnsɪˈdentəli/
introducing a different topic
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
InstituteverbUS /ˈɪnstətuːt/
set up or lay the groundwork for
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
kidnapingverbUS /ˈkɪdnæpɪŋ/
-ing form of “kidnap” — take away to an undisclosed location against their will and usually in order to extract a ransom
From this reading Suspicions of suicide, and of kidnaping for ransom, have not been confirmed."
lodgingsnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋz/
temporary living quarters
From this reading No clue to his whereabouts has been found either at his lodgings or his place of employment.
and nothing more
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
MerlinnounUS /ˈmɜːrlɪn/
(Arthurian legend) the magician who acted as King Arthur's advisor
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
mysteriouslyadverbUS /ˌmɪˈstɪriəsli/
in a cryptic manner
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
not any; not one
From this reading No clue to his whereabouts has been found either at his lodgings or his place of employment.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Suspicions of suicide, and of kidnaping for ransom, have not been confirmed."
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
OfferingnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading No clue to his whereabouts has been found either at his lodgings or his place of employment.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading No clue to his whereabouts has been found either at his lodgings or his place of employment.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
past form of “print” — put into print
From this reading Yet hardly was this story printed when extraordinary rumors began to be heard.
promisingadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːməsɪŋ/
showing possibility of achievement or excellence
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
ransomnounUS /ˈrænsəm/
money demanded for the return of a captured person
From this reading Suspicions of suicide, and of kidnaping for ransom, have not been confirmed."
ResearchnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃ/
systematic investigation to establish facts
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
Ronald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
rumorsnounUS /ˈruːmərz/
plural of “rumor” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading Yet hardly was this story printed when extraordinary rumors began to be heard.
scientistnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪst/
a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Yet hardly was this story printed when extraordinary rumors began to be heard.
suicidenounUS /ˈsuːəsaɪd/
the act of killing yourself
From this reading Suspicions of suicide, and of kidnaping for ransom, have not been confirmed."
SuspicionsnounUS /səˈspɪʃənz/
plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case
From this reading Suspicions of suicide, and of kidnaping for ransom, have not been confirmed."
techniciannounUS /tekˈnɪʃən/
someone whose occupation involves training in a specific technical process
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Yet hardly was this story printed when extraordinary rumors began to be heard.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No clue to his whereabouts has been found either at his lodgings or his place of employment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
at the time that
From this reading Yet hardly was this story printed when extraordinary rumors began to be heard.
whereaboutsnounUS /ˈwerəbaʊts/
the general location where something is
From this reading No clue to his whereabouts has been found either at his lodgings or his place of employment.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As it was, the newspapers were so preoccupied with other events that they merely noted incidentally that "Ronald Gates, a technician employed by the Merlin Research Institute, has dropped mysteriously out of sight.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet hardly was this story printed when extraordinary rumors began to be heard.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading An Offering from the Clouds At almost any other time in modern history, the disappearance of a promising young scientist would have created a sensation.
