used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "All of which explains why Stark hated me so," he remarked after an interval of silence.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
Alison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "All of which explains why Stark hated me so," he remarked after an interval of silence.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "All of which explains why Stark hated me so," he remarked after an interval of silence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
arrestedverbUS /ərˈestɪd/
past form of “arrest” — take into custody
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
blamingverbUS /ˈbleɪmɪŋ/
-ing form of “blame” — put or pin the blame on
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading "Wait!" expostulated the colonel.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
Devreaux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
DexteradjectiveUS /ˈdekstər/
on or starting from the wearer's right
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
explainsverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnz/
third-person singular of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading "All of which explains why Stark hated me so," he remarked after an interval of silence.
expostulated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Wait!" expostulated the colonel.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading There was a suggestion of a smile on his lips as he faced them in the failing twilight.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading There was a suggestion of a smile on his lips as he faced them in the failing twilight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading "All of which explains why Stark hated me so," he remarked after an interval of silence.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a suggestion of a smile on his lips as he faced them in the failing twilight.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading "All of which explains why Stark hated me so," he remarked after an interval of silence.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
go away from a place
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading There was a suggestion of a smile on his lips as he faced them in the failing twilight.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "All of which explains why Stark hated me so," he remarked after an interval of silence.
a particular point in time
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a suggestion of a smile on his lips as he faced them in the failing twilight.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "All of which explains why Stark hated me so," he remarked after an interval of silence.
plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading "All of which explains why Stark hated me so," he remarked after an interval of silence.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading There was a suggestion of a smile on his lips as he faced them in the failing twilight.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "All of which explains why Stark hated me so," he remarked after an interval of silence.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
StarkadjectiveUS /stɑːrk/
devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
From this reading "All of which explains why Stark hated me so," he remarked after an interval of silence.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading There was a suggestion of a smile on his lips as he faced them in the failing twilight.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
express in words
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a suggestion of a smile on his lips as he faced them in the failing twilight.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There was a suggestion of a smile on his lips as he faced them in the failing twilight.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a suggestion of a smile on his lips as he faced them in the failing twilight.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
tragicadjectiveUS /ˈtrædʒɪk/
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading There was a suggestion of a smile on his lips as he faced them in the failing twilight.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading "Wait!" expostulated the colonel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a suggestion of a smile on his lips as he faced them in the failing twilight.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "All of which explains why Stark hated me so," he remarked after an interval of silence.
which person or people
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "All of which explains why Stark hated me so," he remarked after an interval of silence.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading "He knew it was I who had arrested his wife, and he could not help blaming me for the tragic circumstances that came afterwards."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading YOU NEVER CAN TELL For a moment Devreaux and Alison stared at Dexter as though they were not quite sure whether he had taken leave of his senses.
