used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Mystery Boys had two secret sign manuals: one was for asking and answering questions, and the other was for suggesting a course of action.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading THE MYSTERY BOYS GET NEWS “You talk one way and act the opposite!”
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading The Mystery Boys had two secret sign manuals: one was for asking and answering questions, and the other was for suggesting a course of action.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MYSTERY BOYS GET NEWS “You talk one way and act the opposite!”
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading The Mystery Boys had two secret sign manuals: one was for asking and answering questions, and the other was for suggesting a course of action.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading The Mystery Boys had two secret sign manuals: one was for asking and answering questions, and the other was for suggesting a course of action.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading THE MYSTERY BOYS GET NEWS “You talk one way and act the opposite!”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Tom wanted to communicate secretly and he did not see just how to do it.
communicateverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪt/
transmit information
From this reading But Tom wanted to communicate secretly and he did not see just how to do it.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The Mystery Boys had two secret sign manuals: one was for asking and answering questions, and the other was for suggesting a course of action.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading Tom made his tones sarcastic to cover his inward trepidation.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But Tom wanted to communicate secretly and he did not see just how to do it.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading THE MYSTERY BOYS GET NEWS “You talk one way and act the opposite!”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Tom made his tones sarcastic to cover his inward trepidation.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Tom wanted to communicate secretly and he did not see just how to do it.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading Tom made his tones sarcastic to cover his inward trepidation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But Tom wanted to communicate secretly and he did not see just how to do it.
and nothing more
From this reading But Tom wanted to communicate secretly and he did not see just how to do it.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Tom made his tones sarcastic to cover his inward trepidation.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
manualsnounUS /ˈmænjuːəlz/
plural of “manual” — a small handbook
From this reading The Mystery Boys had two secret sign manuals: one was for asking and answering questions, and the other was for suggesting a course of action.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading THE MYSTERY BOYS GET NEWS “You talk one way and act the opposite!”
information about recent and important events
From this reading THE MYSTERY BOYS GET NEWS “You talk one way and act the opposite!”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Mystery Boys had two secret sign manuals: one was for asking and answering questions, and the other was for suggesting a course of action.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE MYSTERY BOYS GET NEWS “You talk one way and act the opposite!”
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading THE MYSTERY BOYS GET NEWS “You talk one way and act the opposite!”
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The Mystery Boys had two secret sign manuals: one was for asking and answering questions, and the other was for suggesting a course of action.
outnumberedverbUS /ˌaʊtˈnʌmbərd/
past form of “outnumber” — be larger in number
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading The Mystery Boys had two secret sign manuals: one was for asking and answering questions, and the other was for suggesting a course of action.
sarcasticadjectiveUS /sɑːrˈkæstɪk/
expressing or expressive of ridicule that wounds
From this reading Tom made his tones sarcastic to cover his inward trepidation.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading The Mystery Boys had two secret sign manuals: one was for asking and answering questions, and the other was for suggesting a course of action.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading But Tom wanted to communicate secretly and he did not see just how to do it.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But Tom wanted to communicate secretly and he did not see just how to do it.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading The Mystery Boys had two secret sign manuals: one was for asking and answering questions, and the other was for suggesting a course of action.
suggestingverbUS /səˈdʒestɪŋ/
-ing form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading The Mystery Boys had two secret sign manuals: one was for asking and answering questions, and the other was for suggesting a course of action.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading THE MYSTERY BOYS GET NEWS “You talk one way and act the opposite!”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MYSTERY BOYS GET NEWS “You talk one way and act the opposite!”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Tom made his tones sarcastic to cover his inward trepidation.
male cat
From this reading Tom made his tones sarcastic to cover his inward trepidation.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Tom made his tones sarcastic to cover his inward trepidation.
trepidationnounUS /ˌtrepɪˈdeɪʃən/
a feeling of alarm or dread
From this reading Tom made his tones sarcastic to cover his inward trepidation.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The Mystery Boys had two secret sign manuals: one was for asking and answering questions, and the other was for suggesting a course of action.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading But Tom wanted to communicate secretly and he did not see just how to do it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE MYSTERY BOYS GET NEWS “You talk one way and act the opposite!”
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading He was not exactly afraid for he did not think that the man had any weapon and they outnumbered him.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading THE MYSTERY BOYS GET NEWS “You talk one way and act the opposite!”
