used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A singular and confusing reticence was on them.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
avoidingverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
chirpyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɜːrpi/
(birds or insects) characterized by or tending to chirp
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
CockneynounUS /ˈkɑːkni/
a native of the east end of London
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
confusingadjectiveUS /kənˈfjuːzɪŋ/
causing confusion or disorientation
From this reading A singular and confusing reticence was on them.
without stop or interruption
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
coweringverbUS /ˈkaʊərɪŋ/
-ing form of “cower” — crouch or curl up
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading His mistress reached down and rubbed his ears.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading His mistress reached down and rubbed his ears.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
the organ of sight
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
ImpnounUS /ɪmp/
(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
impudencenoun
an impudent statement
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
Mary'snounUS /ˈmeriz/
possessive form of “mary” — the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading His mistress reached down and rubbed his ears.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
a light shade of red
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading His mistress reached down and rubbed his ears.
reticencenounUS /ˈretɪsəns/
the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary
From this reading A singular and confusing reticence was on them.
rubbedverbUS /rʌbd/
inflected form of “rub” — move over something with pressure
From this reading His mistress reached down and rubbed his ears.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
unusual or striking
From this reading A singular and confusing reticence was on them.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
slinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
express in speech
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A singular and confusing reticence was on them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A CATCH OF MORE THAN FISH Long before the guests appeared at the breakfast table next morning Cockney was away on Pink Eye; so that there was nothing to fear from him.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
in or to any place at all
From this reading Imp was there, slinking close to Mary's skirts wherever she went, cowering, every bit of his chirpy impudence gone.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Several times the Professor cleared his throat as if he would speak of the things they were avoiding, but he thought better of it each time and continued his meal in silence.
