used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "The safe door is open," I said mildly, as he moved as if to leave the office.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading He was a very careful man, and if he had it was the first time I had known him to do such a thing.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading SOMEBODY'S CRIME.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He was a very careful man, and if he had it was the first time I had known him to do such a thing.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a very careful man, and if he had it was the first time I had known him to do such a thing.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was a very careful man, and if he had it was the first time I had known him to do such a thing.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The safe door is open," I said mildly, as he moved as if to leave the office.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading He was a very careful man, and if he had it was the first time I had known him to do such a thing.
go away from a place
From this reading "The safe door is open," I said mildly, as he moved as if to leave the office.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was a very careful man, and if he had it was the first time I had known him to do such a thing.
mildlyadverbUS /ˈmaɪldli/
to a moderate degree
From this reading "The safe door is open," I said mildly, as he moved as if to leave the office.
used to form the superlative
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading "The safe door is open," I said mildly, as he moved as if to leave the office.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
being perceived or observed
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "The safe door is open," I said mildly, as he moved as if to leave the office.
SOMEBODY'SnounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdiz/
possessive form of “somebody” — a human being
From this reading SOMEBODY'S CRIME.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He was a very careful man, and if he had it was the first time I had known him to do such a thing.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
a special situation
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
tidying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was a very careful man, and if he had it was the first time I had known him to do such a thing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While engaged in tidying up the office I noticed for the first time that the door of the safe stood open.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading This was a most unusual thing, and I wondered if my uncle had taken something out and forgotten to close it.
