used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
on or to one side
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Having been hidden by the dead man’s hair, it had remained unnoticed until Moore’s quick eyes espied it.
without doubt or question
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Having been hidden by the dead man’s hair, it had remained unnoticed until Moore’s quick eyes espied it.
diameternounUS /daɪˈæmətər/
the length of a straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
disknounUS /dɪsk/
something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
espied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having been hidden by the dead man’s hair, it had remained unnoticed until Moore’s quick eyes espied it.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Having been hidden by the dead man’s hair, it had remained unnoticed until Moore’s quick eyes espied it.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
FarrellnounUS /ˈferɪl/
United States writer remembered for his novels (1904-1979)
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
with resolute determination
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
flat-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading THE NAIL “My God!”
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having been hidden by the dead man’s hair, it had remained unnoticed until Moore’s quick eyes espied it.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
not accessible to view
From this reading Having been hidden by the dead man’s hair, it had remained unnoticed until Moore’s quick eyes espied it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Having been hidden by the dead man’s hair, it had remained unnoticed until Moore’s quick eyes espied it.
and nothing more
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
Moore'snounUS /mʊrz/
possessive form of “moore” — United States composer of works noted for their use of the American vernacular (1893-1969)
From this reading Having been hidden by the dead man’s hair, it had remained unnoticed until Moore’s quick eyes espied it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE NAIL “My God!”
NAILverbUS /neɪl/
attach something somewhere by means of nails
From this reading THE NAIL “My God!”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
pushingnounUS /ˈpʊʃɪŋ/
the act of applying force in order to move something away
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
one of four equal parts
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Having been hidden by the dead man’s hair, it had remained unnoticed until Moore’s quick eyes espied it.
on the contrary
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Having been hidden by the dead man’s hair, it had remained unnoticed until Moore’s quick eyes espied it.
revealingadjectiveUS /rɪˈviːlɪŋ/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
skullnounUS /skʌl/
the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
steppingverbUS /ˈstepɪŋ/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NAIL “My God!”
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Farrell exclaimed, stepping closer and pushing aside the gray hair, thus clearly revealing the awful truth.
unnoticedadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊtɪst/
not noticed
From this reading Having been hidden by the dead man’s hair, it had remained unnoticed until Moore’s quick eyes espied it.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Having been hidden by the dead man’s hair, it had remained unnoticed until Moore’s quick eyes espied it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Farrell picked at it a little, but it was far too firmly fastened to be moved by his fingers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A flat-headed nail, the head rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, had been driven into the skull with such force that it showed merely as a metal disk.
