used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading In his hand the scientist held a large magnifying glass, through which he was staring at something on the arm of the servant.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
crawlingnounUS /ˈkrɔːlɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “Let me go!” cried the young woman.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
doorstepnounUS /ˈdɔːrstep/
the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/
plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading In his hand the scientist held a large magnifying glass, through which he was staring at something on the arm of the servant.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “Let me go!” cried the young woman.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading In his hand the scientist held a large magnifying glass, through which he was staring at something on the arm of the servant.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading In his hand the scientist held a large magnifying glass, through which he was staring at something on the arm of the servant.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
impactnounUS /ˌɪmˈpækt/
the striking of one body against another
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
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 A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In his hand the scientist held a large magnifying glass, through which he was staring at something on the arm of the servant.
the sound of laughing
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading “Let me go!” cried the young woman.
liberatingverbUS /ˈlɪbɜːreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “liberate” — give equal rights to; of women and minorities
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
lizardsnounUS /ˈlɪzərdz/
plural of “lizard” — relatively long-bodied reptile with usually two pairs of legs and a tapering tail
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
magnifyingverbUS /ˈmæɡnəfaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “magnify” — increase in size, volume or significance
From this reading In his hand the scientist held a large magnifying glass, through which he was staring at something on the arm of the servant.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Let me go!” cried the young woman.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
offendedadjectiveUS /əˈfendəd/
emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
cut with a saw
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
scientistnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪst/
a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading In his hand the scientist held a large magnifying glass, through which he was staring at something on the arm of the servant.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading In his hand the scientist held a large magnifying glass, through which he was staring at something on the arm of the servant.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
sleevesnounUS /sliːvz/
plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
Snodgrass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading In his hand the scientist held a large magnifying glass, through which he was staring at something on the arm of the servant.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading In his hand the scientist held a large magnifying glass, through which he was staring at something on the arm of the servant.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
therebyadverbUS /ˈðerˈbaɪ/
by that means or because of that
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading In his hand the scientist held a large magnifying glass, through which he was staring at something on the arm of the servant.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
toadsnounUS /toʊdz/
plural of “toad” — any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
Uriahnoun
(Old Testament) the husband of Bathsheba and a soldier who was sent to die in battle so that king David could marry his wife (circa 10th century BC)
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
valisenoun
a small overnight bag for short trips
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In his hand the scientist held a large magnifying glass, through which he was staring at something on the arm of the servant.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
at the time that
From this reading She had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, for she had been busy sweeping when she answered the door bell.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Professor Uriah Snodgrass had dropped his valise on the doorstep, and the impact had caused it to open, thereby liberating a number of toads and lizards which were crawling about the steps.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading “Let me go!” cried the young woman.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A STRANGE CONVERSATION What the boys saw made them stop short in amazement, and they had hard work not to burst into laughter at the sight of the professor, but they knew he would be offended if they made fun of him.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “Let me go!” cried the young woman.
