used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He listened in silence while his pipe went out, and sat quite still after the other ceased.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
brother'snounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I can't say I'm pleased with it, at least at first view.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading He listened in silence while his pipe went out, and sat quite still after the other ceased.
ConradnounUS /ˈkɑːnræd/
English novelist (born in Poland) noted for sea stories and for his narrative technique (1857-1924)
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
CurtadjectiveUS /kɜːrt/
marked by rude or peremptory shortness
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
CurtisnounUS /ˈkɜːrtəs/
English botanical writer and publisher (1746-1799)
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He listened in silence while his pipe went out, and sat quite still after the other ceased.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
HomernounUS /ˈhoʊmər/
a base hit on which the batter scores a run
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I can't say I'm pleased with it, at least at first view.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I can't say I'm pleased with it, at least at first view.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
knocksnounUS /nɑːks/
plural of “knock” — the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
immediately past
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
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 I can't say I'm pleased with it, at least at first view.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
lifelongadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪˈflɔːŋ/
continuing through life
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading He listened in silence while his pipe went out, and sat quite still after the other ceased.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
NARROWINGnounUS /ˈneroʊɪŋ/
an instance of becoming narrow
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He listened in silence while his pipe went out, and sat quite still after the other ceased.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He listened in silence while his pipe went out, and sat quite still after the other ceased.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading He listened in silence while his pipe went out, and sat quite still after the other ceased.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading I can't say I'm pleased with it, at least at first view.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
potentadjectiveUS /ˈpoʊtənt/
having great influence
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
QUESTnounUS /kwest/
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He listened in silence while his pipe went out, and sat quite still after the other ceased.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
express in words
From this reading I can't say I'm pleased with it, at least at first view.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading He listened in silence while his pipe went out, and sat quite still after the other ceased.
ludicrous, foolish
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
smokedadjectiveUS /smoʊkt/
(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
not in physical motion
From this reading He listened in silence while his pipe went out, and sat quite still after the other ceased.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
tremornounUS /ˈtremər/
an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading I can't say I'm pleased with it, at least at first view.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
(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 "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He listened in silence while his pipe went out, and sat quite still after the other ceased.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading NARROWING THE QUEST That evening, while they sat and smoked on the little porch, Curtis Conrad told Homer of his lifelong quest.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
yarnnounUS /jɑːrn/
the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading It was the younger man's first knowledge of the motive that had been so potent in his brother's life.
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading "Well, Curt," he said at last, with a little tremor in his voice, "this yarn of yours knocks me silly.
