used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Couldn't say a word, my throat was that paralyzed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
BillingsnounUS /ˈbɪlɪŋz/
the largest city in Montana; located in southern Montana on the Yellowstone river
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
burglarnounUS /ˈbɝː.ɡlɚ/
A person who commits illegal entry into a building with intent to steal valuable treasures.
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
consciencelessadjective
lacking a conscience
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
Couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn't say a word, my throat was that paralyzed.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
criminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading IRON NERVE I just stood in the doorway, staring.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
at any time
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
FoxyadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːksi/
marked by skill in deception
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
geezernoun
a man who is (usually) old and/or eccentric
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
a man of refinement
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
GrandpanounUS /ˈɡrændpɑː/
the father of your father or mother
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
hold-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading IRON NERVE I just stood in the doorway, staring.
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IRON NERVE I just stood in the doorway, staring.
interventionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈvenʃən/
the act of intervening (as to mediate a dispute, etc.)
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading IRON NERVE I just stood in the doorway, staring.
jollyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɑːli/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
and nothing more
From this reading IRON NERVE I just stood in the doorway, staring.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Couldn't say a word, my throat was that paralyzed.
NERVEnounUS /nɜːrv/
any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body
From this reading IRON NERVE I just stood in the doorway, staring.
not any; not one
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
paralyzedadjectiveUS /ˈperəlaɪzd/
affected with paralysis
From this reading Couldn't say a word, my throat was that paralyzed.
policemannounUS /pəˈliːsmən/
a member of a police force
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
respectable-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
precisely, exactly
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
express in words
From this reading Couldn't say a word, my throat was that paralyzed.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading IRON NERVE I just stood in the doorway, staring.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading IRON NERVE I just stood in the doorway, staring.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But I knew now, of course, that the policeman was right and that the respectable-looking old gentleman was no other than the desperate criminal described as "Foxy Grandpa."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Couldn't say a word, my throat was that paralyzed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IRON NERVE I just stood in the doorway, staring.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Couldn't say a word, my throat was that paralyzed.
throatsnounUS /θroʊts/
plural of “throat” — the passage to the stomach and lungs; in the front part of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone
From this reading But for the intervention of outside assistance doubtless Billings and I might have had our throats cut by the conscienceless old geezer.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Couldn't say a word, my throat was that paralyzed.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Couldn't say a word, my throat was that paralyzed.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading First time, you know, I'd ever seen a real burglar or jolly hold-up man, and he looked so different from what I had expected.
