used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Turning my back on him, I edged toward a desk.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
anew
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
austereadjectiveUS /ɔːˈstɪr/
severely simple
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Turning my back on him, I edged toward a desk.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
busnounUS /bʌs/
a vehicle carrying many passengers; used for public transport
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
deck-shoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading Turning my back on him, I edged toward a desk.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
edgedadjectiveUS /edʒd/
having a specified kind of border or edge
From this reading Turning my back on him, I edged toward a desk.
encounteringverbUS /enˈkaʊntərɪŋ/
-ing form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
establishmentnounUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/
the act of forming or establishing something
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
growlnounUS /ɡraʊl/
the sound of growling (as made by animals)
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Turning my back on him, I edged toward a desk.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
the act of retaining something
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Turning my back on him, I edged toward a desk.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
MeekeradjectiveUS /ˈmiːkər/
comparative of “meek” — humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Turning my back on him, I edged toward a desk.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Turning my back on him, I edged toward a desk.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
go across or through
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
by chance
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
protestnounUS /ˈproʊtest/
a formal and solemn declaration of objection
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
retreatingverbUS /riˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
precisely, exactly
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
without speaking
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Turning my back on him, I edged toward a desk.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Turning my back on him, I edged toward a desk.
undecidedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈsaɪdɪd/
not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward the door, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He stared about the place, leaning on one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quite sure he was in the right establishment.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It seemed to me that he had not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he chose to pass without encountering me again.
intense anger (usually on an epic scale)
From this reading I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up in protest.
