used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading Indeed they were to meet with an adventure which was startling, to say the least of it.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
animatedadjectiveUS /ˈænəmeɪtɪd/
having life or vigor or spirit
From this reading Tom and Sam were engaged in an animated conversation in the back regions, and, no doubt, were themselves preparing to turn in.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
towards the shore from the water
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Tom and Sam were engaged in an animated conversation in the back regions, and, no doubt, were themselves preparing to turn in.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
beginsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnz/
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Tom and Sam were engaged in an animated conversation in the back regions, and, no doubt, were themselves preparing to turn in.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading They were seated in the parlour, Jim and Phineas, discussing their work, while Sadie had retired for the night.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Tom and Sam were engaged in an animated conversation in the back regions, and, no doubt, were themselves preparing to turn in.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Tom and Sam were engaged in an animated conversation in the back regions, and, no doubt, were themselves preparing to turn in.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
your parents
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were seated in the parlour, Jim and Phineas, discussing their work, while Sadie had retired for the night.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed they were to meet with an adventure which was startling, to say the least of it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Indeed they were to meet with an adventure which was startling, to say the least of it.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
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 Indeed they were to meet with an adventure which was startling, to say the least of it.
come together
From this reading Indeed they were to meet with an adventure which was startling, to say the least of it.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
not any; not one
From this reading Tom and Sam were engaged in an animated conversation in the back regions, and, no doubt, were themselves preparing to turn in.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Indeed they were to meet with an adventure which was startling, to say the least of it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
PanamanounUS /ˈpænəmɑː/
a republic on the Isthmus of Panama; achieved independence from Colombia in 1903
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading They were seated in the parlour, Jim and Phineas, discussing their work, while Sadie had retired for the night.
Phineas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were seated in the parlour, Jim and Phineas, discussing their work, while Sadie had retired for the night.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading Tom and Sam were engaged in an animated conversation in the back regions, and, no doubt, were themselves preparing to turn in.
without much difficulty
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
regionsnounUS /ˈriːdʒənz/
plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something
From this reading Tom and Sam were engaged in an animated conversation in the back regions, and, no doubt, were themselves preparing to turn in.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading They were seated in the parlour, Jim and Phineas, discussing their work, while Sadie had retired for the night.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
Sadie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were seated in the parlour, Jim and Phineas, discussing their work, while Sadie had retired for the night.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Tom and Sam were engaged in an animated conversation in the back regions, and, no doubt, were themselves preparing to turn in.
express in words
From this reading Indeed they were to meet with an adventure which was startling, to say the least of it.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading They were seated in the parlour, Jim and Phineas, discussing their work, while Sadie had retired for the night.
try to get or reach
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading Indeed they were to meet with an adventure which was startling, to say the least of it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Tom and Sam were engaged in an animated conversation in the back regions, and, no doubt, were themselves preparing to turn in.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
male cat
From this reading Tom and Sam were engaged in an animated conversation in the back regions, and, no doubt, were themselves preparing to turn in.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Tom and Sam were engaged in an animated conversation in the back regions, and, no doubt, were themselves preparing to turn in.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Indeed they were to meet with an adventure which was startling, to say the least of it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading However, Jim and his friends were not to find repose on this, almost their first night ashore, as readily as they imagined.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Indeed they were to meet with an adventure which was startling, to say the least of it.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading They were seated in the parlour, Jim and Phineas, discussing their work, while Sadie had retired for the night.
which person or people
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Indeed they were to meet with an adventure which was startling, to say the least of it.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
zonenounUS /zoʊn/
a locally circumscribed place characterized by some distinctive features
From this reading A Shot in the Dark Folks in the Panama zone do not keep late hours as a rule, for work begins at an early hour, and he who would be fresh and ready must seek his bed early.
