used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
adjustingverbUS /əˈdʒʌstɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjust” — alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
From this reading "Well, I'm kind of stuck on pressing the button myself," Stone confessed, adjusting the focus.
amateurnounUS /ˈæmətɜːr/
someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
From this reading "I used to be rather a dab at amateur photography, you know."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
approvinglyadverbUS /əˈpruːvɪŋli/
in an approving manner
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
on or to one side
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I used to be rather a dab at amateur photography, you know."
Blensop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Blensop offered eagerly.
blinkedverbUS /blɪŋkt/
past form of “blink” — briefly shut the eyes
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
buttonnounUS /ˈbʌtən/
a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading "Well, I'm kind of stuck on pressing the button myself," Stone confessed, adjusting the focus.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
Can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Can't I help you?"
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading "Well, I'm kind of stuck on pressing the button myself," Stone confessed, adjusting the focus.
dabverbUS /dæb/
apply (usually a liquid) to a surface
From this reading "I used to be rather a dab at amateur photography, you know."
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading Blensop offered eagerly.
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
flashlightnounUS /ˈflæʃlaɪt/
a small portable battery-powered electric lamp
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
focusnounUS /ˈfoʊkəs/
the concentration of attention or energy on something
From this reading "Well, I'm kind of stuck on pressing the button myself," Stone confessed, adjusting the focus.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading "Can't I help you?"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Can't I help you?"
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I'm kind of stuck on pressing the button myself," Stone confessed, adjusting the focus.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading "Well, I'm kind of stuck on pressing the button myself," Stone confessed, adjusting the focus.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I used to be rather a dab at amateur photography, you know."
kodak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
legerdemainnounUS /ˌledʒərdəˈmeɪn/
an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
materializedverbUS /məˈtɪriəlaɪzd/
past form of “materialize” — come into being; become reality
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "Well, I'm kind of stuck on pressing the button myself," Stone confessed, adjusting the focus.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Blensop offered eagerly.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Well, I'm kind of stuck on pressing the button myself," Stone confessed, adjusting the focus.
photographynounUS /fəˈtɑːɡrəfi/
the act of taking and printing photographs
From this reading "I used to be rather a dab at amateur photography, you know."
pistolnounUS /ˈpɪstəl/
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading "Well, I'm kind of stuck on pressing the button myself," Stone confessed, adjusting the focus.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
on the contrary
From this reading "I used to be rather a dab at amateur photography, you know."
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading "Well, I'm kind of stuck on pressing the button myself," Stone confessed, adjusting the focus.
caught or fixed
From this reading "Well, I'm kind of stuck on pressing the button myself," Stone confessed, adjusting the focus.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He put the bottle aside, blinked at the safe approvingly, and by further exercise of powers of legerdemain materialized a pocket kodak and a flashlight pistol.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I used to be rather a dab at amateur photography, you know."
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading "I used to be rather a dab at amateur photography, you know."
(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, I'm kind of stuck on pressing the button myself," Stone confessed, adjusting the focus.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Can't I help you?"
