used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
agitatedadjectiveUS /ˈædʒəteɪtɪd/
troubled emotionally and usually deeply
From this reading Mrs. Millicent, unmistakably agitated, pressed his hand with a nervous tremor.
in the past
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
make calm or still
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
dankadjectiveUS /dæŋk/
unpleasantly cool and humid
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
DerricknounUS /ˈderɪk/
a framework erected over an oil well to allow drill tubes to be raised and lowered
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “You have more news for us, Mr. Derrick?
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
a young female
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
HADauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Mrs. Millicent, unmistakably agitated, pressed his hand with a nervous tremor.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “You have more news for us, Mr. Derrick?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
memoriesnounUS /ˈmɛm.ə.riz/
Recollections of past events.
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
Millicent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Millicent, unmistakably agitated, pressed his hand with a nervous tremor.
Millicents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “You have more news for us, Mr. Derrick?
a form of address for a man
From this reading “You have more news for us, Mr. Derrick?
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Millicent, unmistakably agitated, pressed his hand with a nervous tremor.
nearedverbUS /nɪrd/
past form of “near” — move towards
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
easily agitated
From this reading Mrs. Millicent, unmistakably agitated, pressed his hand with a nervous tremor.
information about recent and important events
From this reading “You have more news for us, Mr. Derrick?
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
picturingnounUS /ˈpɪktʃərɪŋ/
visual imagery
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
poignantadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪnjənt/
arousing affect
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
compacted by ironing
From this reading Mrs. Millicent, unmistakably agitated, pressed his hand with a nervous tremor.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
recountingnounUS /rɪˈkaʊntɪŋ/
an act of narration
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
reviveverbUS /rɪˈvaɪv/
cause to regain consciousness
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
sleeplessadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpləs/
experiencing or accompanied by sleeplessness
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
sparkledverbUS /ˈspɑːrkəld/
past form of “sparkle” — reflect brightly
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
not in physical motion
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
suggestingverbUS /səˈdʒestɪŋ/
-ing form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
tremornounUS /ˈtremər/
an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)
From this reading Mrs. Millicent, unmistakably agitated, pressed his hand with a nervous tremor.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
unmistakablyadverbUS /ˌʌnmɪˈsteɪkəbli/
without possibility of mistake
From this reading Mrs. Millicent, unmistakably agitated, pressed his hand with a nervous tremor.
unpreparedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnpriˈperd/
without preparation; not prepared for
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “You have more news for us, Mr. Derrick?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
at the time that
From this reading IT HAD been a cold night, and frost still sparkled on the dank grass when Derrick neared the Millicents’.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a strange mission that carried him now to his girl, but she greeted him with a calm suggesting that she was not altogether unprepared.
a late time of life
From this reading He had spent sleepless hours picturing this meeting, recounting all there was to be said, and casting about as to how the story might be put so as to revive as little as possible the poignant memories of two years ago.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You have more news for us, Mr. Derrick?
