used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
autonounUS /ˈɔːtoʊ/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
coronationnounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈneɪʃən/
the ceremony of installing a new monarch
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
DurhamnounUS /ˈdɜːrəm/
a city of north central North Carolina; site of Duke University
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
earthquakenounUS /ˈɜːrθkweɪk/
shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
featurenounUS /ˈfiːtʃər/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
fightsnounUS /faɪts/
plural of “fight” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
FILMnounUS /fɪlm/
a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
Hal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
JollyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɑːli/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
and nothing more
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
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 The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
take somebody somewhere
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
linernounUS /ˈlaɪnər/
(baseball) a hit that flies straight out from the batter
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
full of life and energy
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
on one occasion
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
and nothing more
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
playernounUS /ˈpleɪər/
a person who participates in or is skilled at some game
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
any competition
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
specialsnounUS /ˈspeʃəlz/
plural of “special” — a special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “You’ve got to get in at them at the start, though,” suggested Jolly.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading “You’ve got to get in at them at the start, though,” suggested Jolly.
carry out
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “You’ve got to get in at them at the start, though,” suggested Jolly.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “You’ve got to get in at them at the start, though,” suggested Jolly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
two times
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
Vincent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.
we've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GREAT FILM “Durham, I feel that we’ve just got to get that film,” spoke Ben Jolly.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
an affirmative
From this reading “Yes,” nodded Hal Vincent, “this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that’s the big feature that the public run after for about a month.”
You've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You’ve got to get in at them at the start, though,” suggested Jolly.
