used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
anew
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
AllennounUS /ˈælən/
United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
next to; at the side of
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
the lower side of anything
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
brandedadjectiveUS /ˈbrændɪd/
(of goods and merchandise) marked or labeled by a distinctive word or symbol indicating exclusive rights
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
canoesnounUS /kəˈnuːz/
plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
documentnounUS /ˈdɑːkjəment/
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
foldnounUS /foʊld/
an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
gaspnounUS /ɡæsp/
a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
hunched-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
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 Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
easily agitated
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
not any; not one
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
overrunverbUS /ˈoʊvərrʌn/
invade in great numbers
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
posturenounUS /ˈpɑːstʃər/
the arrangement of the body and its limbs
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/
located far away spatially
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
repeatingnounUS /rɪˈpiːtɪŋ/
the act of doing or performing again
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
filled with satisfaction
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
shallowadjectiveUS /ˈʃæloʊ/
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
SpyverbUS /spaɪ/
catch sight of
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
stealthilyadverb
in a stealthy manner
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
tensenounUS /tens/
a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
in spite of the fact that
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
twitchingnounUS /ˈtwɪtʃɪŋ/
a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
communicated in words
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
precisely as stated
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading As they watched, he started to fold up the paper, glancing stealthily about meanwhile; then, as though satisfied that no one was watching, he picked up the heavy bag that lay beside him, evidently preparing for flight.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Betty, a little tense figure in the bottom of the boat, uttered a gasp of dismay, as Allen began carefully to lower himself into the shallow water.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Since the war had begun, the country had been overrun with them, that they knew; but out here on this remote island...
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet there was something about the very posture of the man, his hunched-up figure, the nervous twitching of the fingers that held the document, that branded him.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A SHOT IN THE DARK In the minds of each of the young people in the canoes, one word kept repeating itself over and over again: "Spy, spy, spy!"
