used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading He hardly dared breathe, for fear of giving an alarm.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He hardly dared breathe, for fear of giving an alarm.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Just at the moment the inventor had his back turned to the water as he stood working at his bench.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Just at the moment the inventor had his back turned to the water as he stood working at his bench.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Just at the moment the inventor had his back turned to the water as he stood working at his bench.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
a long seat for more than one person
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
a youthful male person
From this reading How quietly the Grammar School boy trod water!
breatheverbUS /briːð/
draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
From this reading He hardly dared breathe, for fear of giving an alarm.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading He hardly dared breathe, for fear of giving an alarm.
someone who is a detective
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He hardly dared breathe, for fear of giving an alarm.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He hardly dared breathe, for fear of giving an alarm.
the act of giving
From this reading He hardly dared breathe, for fear of giving an alarm.
GrammarnounUS /ˈɡræmər/
the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)
From this reading How quietly the Grammar School boy trod water!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
only a very short time before
From this reading He hardly dared breathe, for fear of giving an alarm.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Just at the moment the inventor had his back turned to the water as he stood working at his bench.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Just at the moment the inventor had his back turned to the water as he stood working at his bench.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How quietly the Grammar School boy trod water!
of the present time and place
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/
someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
and nothing more
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
mentallyadverbUS /ˈmentəli/
in your mind
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
a particular point in time
From this reading Just at the moment the inventor had his back turned to the water as he stood working at his bench.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
with low volume
From this reading How quietly the Grammar School boy trod water!
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
riggedadjectiveUS /rɪɡd/
fitted or equipped with necessary rigging (sails and shrouds and stays etc)
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
an educational institution
From this reading How quietly the Grammar School boy trod water!
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Just at the moment the inventor had his back turned to the water as he stood working at his bench.
suppliesnounUS /səˈplaɪz/
plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Just at the moment the inventor had his back turned to the water as he stood working at his bench.
toolsnounUS /tuːlz/
plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
trodverbUS /trɑːd/
inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading How quietly the Grammar School boy trod water!
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Just at the moment the inventor had his back turned to the water as he stood working at his bench.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Just at the moment the inventor had his back turned to the water as he stood working at his bench.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading CONCLUSION The mentally queer inventor had rigged up a bench just under shelves on which rested tools and boat supplies.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Dick was able to look at him while not in immediate danger of being seen himself.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Just at the moment the inventor had his back turned to the water as he stood working at his bench.
