used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
alleynounUS /ˈæli/
a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
backedadjectiveUS /bækt/
having a back or backing, usually of a specified type
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
deepestadjectiveUS /ˈdiːpəst/
superlative of “deep” — relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
someone who is a detective
From this reading It was Dick Peterson.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
divisible by two
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
opinion or judgment
From this reading USEFUL INFORMATION O'Byrn's eyes glistened.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading The whole gang must be out looking for Slade.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
glistenedverbUS /ˈɡlɪsənd/
past form of “glisten” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading USEFUL INFORMATION O'Byrn's eyes glistened.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
a message received and understood
From this reading USEFUL INFORMATION O'Byrn's eyes glistened.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Dick Peterson.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The whole gang must be out looking for Slade.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
Micky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The whole gang must be out looking for Slade.
O'Byrn's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading USEFUL INFORMATION O'Byrn's eyes glistened.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
Peterson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Dick Peterson.
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
one of four equal parts
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
done under pressure
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
Slade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole gang must be out looking for Slade.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
a special situation
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
being of use or service
From this reading USEFUL INFORMATION O'Byrn's eyes glistened.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Even as the reflection struck him, Micky backed close against the wall, in the deepest shadows, as a man rushed past him through the alley.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Here were possibilities, to be sure, but the first thing to do was to get out of that quarter, which might be too warm for comfort in a few minutes.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The whole gang must be out looking for Slade.
