used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Lowering his voice to a confidential tone, he asked:
abruptadjectiveUS /əˈbrʌpt/
marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading "I told her I had met with an accident, and neither she nor her husband asked a question.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
any thing at all
From this reading "Does Mrs. McCaffry know anything of this?"
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Lowering his voice to a confidential tone, he asked:
brighteningverbUS /ˈbraɪtənɪŋ/
-ing form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
CALLERnounUS /ˈkɔːlər/
a social or business visitor
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
From this reading Lowering his voice to a confidential tone, he asked:
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
Doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Does Mrs. McCaffry know anything of this?"
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "I told her I had met with an accident, and neither she nor her husband asked a question.
hasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lowering his voice to a confidential tone, he asked:
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I told her I had met with an accident, and neither she nor her husband asked a question.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Lowering his voice to a confidential tone, he asked:
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading "I told her I had met with an accident, and neither she nor her husband asked a question.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I told her I had met with an accident, and neither she nor her husband asked a question.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Does Mrs. McCaffry know anything of this?"
LoweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading Lowering his voice to a confidential tone, he asked:
McCaffry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Does Mrs. McCaffry know anything of this?"
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading "I told her I had met with an accident, and neither she nor her husband asked a question.
MikenounUS /maɪk/
device for converting sound waves into electrical energy
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "Does Mrs. McCaffry know anything of this?"
not one and not the other of two
From this reading "I told her I had met with an accident, and neither she nor her husband asked a question.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading "I told her I had met with an accident, and neither she nor her husband asked a question.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
Noxon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Does Mrs. McCaffry know anything of this?"
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading "I told her I had met with an accident, and neither she nor her husband asked a question.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
seizingnounUS /ˈsiːzɪŋ/
small stuff that is used for lashing two or more ropes together
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Does Mrs. McCaffry know anything of this?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading "I told her I had met with an accident, and neither she nor her husband asked a question.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Lowering his voice to a confidential tone, he asked:
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
UNWELCOMEadjectiveUS /ənˈwelkəm/
not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "If so, she hasn't given me any reason to suspect it," replied Noxon, brightening up and seizing the straw held out to him.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Lowering his voice to a confidential tone, he asked:
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN UNWELCOME CALLER With rare wisdom Mike now gave an abrupt turn to the conversation.
