used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HAZARD OF THE GAME The newcomer had arrived without a sound.
absentlyadverb
in an absentminded or preoccupied manner
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Evidently he had just forded his way across the rapids.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Is the party still on," he inquired, "or am I too late?"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
appreciativelyadverbUS /əˈpriːʃieɪtɪvli/
with appreciation; in a grateful manner
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading HAZARD OF THE GAME The newcomer had arrived without a sound.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
debonnaireadjective
having a sophisticated charm
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Evidently he had just forded his way across the rapids.
forded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently he had just forded his way across the rapids.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading HAZARD OF THE GAME The newcomer had arrived without a sound.
grippedverbUS /ɡrɪpt/
inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HAZARD OF THE GAME The newcomer had arrived without a sound.
hammernounUS /ˈhæmər/
the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
HAZARDnounUS /ˈhæzərd/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading HAZARD OF THE GAME The newcomer had arrived without a sound.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Evidently he had just forded his way across the rapids.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Evidently he had just forded his way across the rapids.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Is the party still on," he inquired, "or am I too late?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading "Is the party still on," he inquired, "or am I too late?"
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Is the party still on," he inquired, "or am I too late?"
and nothing more
From this reading Evidently he had just forded his way across the rapids.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading "Is the party still on," he inquired, "or am I too late?"
staying power
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
newcomernounUS /ˈnuːkʌmər/
any new participant in some activity
From this reading HAZARD OF THE GAME The newcomer had arrived without a sound.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HAZARD OF THE GAME The newcomer had arrived without a sound.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Is the party still on," he inquired, "or am I too late?"
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Is the party still on," he inquired, "or am I too late?"
an organization to gain political power
From this reading "Is the party still on," he inquired, "or am I too late?"
rapidsnounUS /ˈræpədz/
plural of “rapid” — a part of a river where the current is very fast
From this reading Evidently he had just forded his way across the rapids.
retainedadjectiveUS /rɪˈteɪnd/
continued in your keeping or use or memory
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
rivulets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading HAZARD OF THE GAME The newcomer had arrived without a sound.
refrain from harming
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
not in physical motion
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HAZARD OF THE GAME The newcomer had arrived without a sound.
thumbedadjectiveUS /θʌmd/
(of pages) worn or soiled by thumb and fingers by frequent handling or turning
From this reading He smiled appreciatively at the scene before him as he absently thumbed the hammer of the rifle he held gripped in his hands.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "Is the party still on," he inquired, "or am I too late?"
trickledverbUS /ˈtrɪkəld/
past form of “trickle” — run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Evidently he had just forded his way across the rapids.
well-groomedadjective
having tasteful clothing and being scrupulously neat
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
wetnessnounUS /ˈwetnəs/
the condition of containing or being covered by a liquid (especially water)
From this reading Water trickled in rivulets from his legs and his clothing clung to his spare frame; but in spite of wetness he still retained his well-groomed, debonnaire appearance.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading HAZARD OF THE GAME The newcomer had arrived without a sound.
