used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
(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 "Why in the world did Ryder have to go to all that trouble?" the old star-reader inquired.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading More freedom for his hands, that way, and no need to bring the ape to unlace his animal skin."
apenounUS /eɪp/
any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all
From this reading More freedom for his hands, that way, and no need to bring the ape to unlace his animal skin."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
Astrovox
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
for the reason that
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
exhale hard
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading More freedom for his hands, that way, and no need to bring the ape to unlace his animal skin."
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
cameranounUS /ˈkæmərə/
equipment for taking photographs (usually consisting of a lightproof box with a lens at one end and light-sensitive film at the other)
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
clothing in general
From this reading "How much simpler to have come in his own clothes.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "How much simpler to have come in his own clothes.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
placed crosswise
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Why in the world did Ryder have to go to all that trouble?" the old star-reader inquired.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
at any time
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
favoredadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪvərd/
preferred above all others and treated with partiality
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading More freedom for his hands, that way, and no need to bring the ape to unlace his animal skin."
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading More freedom for his hands, that way, and no need to bring the ape to unlace his animal skin."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Why in the world did Ryder have to go to all that trouble?" the old star-reader inquired.
the act of departing
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading More freedom for his hands, that way, and no need to bring the ape to unlace his animal skin."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Why in the world did Ryder have to go to all that trouble?" the old star-reader inquired.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How much simpler to have come in his own clothes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Why in the world did Ryder have to go to all that trouble?" the old star-reader inquired.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading "Why in the world did Ryder have to go to all that trouble?" the old star-reader inquired.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
lensnounUS /lenz/
a transparent optical device used to converge or diverge transmitted light and to form images
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
linkedadjectiveUS /lɪŋkt/
connected by a link, as railway cars or trailer trucks
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
listingnounUS /ˈlɪstɪŋ/
a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "How much simpler to have come in his own clothes.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading More freedom for his hands, that way, and no need to bring the ape to unlace his animal skin."
not any; not one
From this reading More freedom for his hands, that way, and no need to bring the ape to unlace his animal skin."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Why in the world did Ryder have to go to all that trouble?" the old star-reader inquired.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "How much simpler to have come in his own clothes.
freed from illness or injury
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
Ryder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
hit with a missile from a weapon
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
simpleradjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpələr/
comparative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading "How much simpler to have come in his own clothes.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading More freedom for his hands, that way, and no need to bring the ape to unlace his animal skin."
sound-clues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
sound-film
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
star-reader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why in the world did Ryder have to go to all that trouble?" the old star-reader inquired.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
telescopeverbUS /ˈteləskoʊp/
crush together or collapse
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Why in the world did Ryder have to go to all that trouble?" the old star-reader inquired.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
a source of difficulty
From this reading "Why in the world did Ryder have to go to all that trouble?" the old star-reader inquired.
unlaceverb
undo the ties of
From this reading More freedom for his hands, that way, and no need to bring the ape to unlace his animal skin."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading More freedom for his hands, that way, and no need to bring the ape to unlace his animal skin."
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Astrovox, well recovered from his blow on the temple, was going to "shoot" the stars as they crossed over the lens of his telescope and Roger was getting a sound-film into a camera.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Ear Detective, more favored than ever because he had been the means of listing sound-clues, one of which had completely linked Ryder into his crime, was busy.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why in the world did Ryder have to go to all that trouble?" the old star-reader inquired.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading "Why in the world did Ryder have to go to all that trouble?" the old star-reader inquired.
