used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "If you consider it any of your business--I don't--then I'll say that I am writing to my mother."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Your impudence and your grammar are quite in keeping with each other," answered Tad laughingly.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "Your impudence and your grammar are quite in keeping with each other," answered Tad laughingly.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "If you consider it any of your business--I don't--then I'll say that I am writing to my mother."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Your impudence and your grammar are quite in keeping with each other," answered Tad laughingly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
bullynounUS /ˈbʊli/
a cruel and brutal fellow
From this reading "Writin' letters?" jeered the bully.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "If you consider it any of your business--I don't--then I'll say that I am writing to my mother."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
BUTLERnounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
Chunky's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
deem to be
From this reading "If you consider it any of your business--I don't--then I'll say that I am writing to my mother."
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you consider it any of your business--I don't--then I'll say that I am writing to my mother."
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading "Your impudence and your grammar are quite in keeping with each other," answered Tad laughingly.
opinion or judgment
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
grammarnounUS /ˈɡræmər/
the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)
From this reading "Your impudence and your grammar are quite in keeping with each other," answered Tad laughingly.
GriffinnounUS /ˈɡrɪfɪn/
winged monster with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "If you consider it any of your business--I don't--then I'll say that I am writing to my mother."
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you consider it any of your business--I don't--then I'll say that I am writing to my mother."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If you consider it any of your business--I don't--then I'll say that I am writing to my mother."
impudencenoun
an impudent statement
From this reading "Your impudence and your grammar are quite in keeping with each other," answered Tad laughingly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
jeeredverbUS /dʒɪrd/
past form of “jeer” — laugh at with contempt and derision
From this reading "Writin' letters?" jeered the bully.
conformity or harmony
From this reading "Your impudence and your grammar are quite in keeping with each other," answered Tad laughingly.
laughinglyadverbUS /ˈlæfɪŋli/
with laughter; while laughing
From this reading "Your impudence and your grammar are quite in keeping with each other," answered Tad laughingly.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
the literary culture
From this reading "Writin' letters?" jeered the bully.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
loungers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
a particular point in time
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "If you consider it any of your business--I don't--then I'll say that I am writing to my mother."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "Your impudence and your grammar are quite in keeping with each other," answered Tad laughingly.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
win a victory over
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "Your impudence and your grammar are quite in keeping with each other," answered Tad laughingly.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
express in words
From this reading "If you consider it any of your business--I don't--then I'll say that I am writing to my mother."
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
SmokyadjectiveUS /ˈsmoʊki/
marked by or emitting or filled with smoke
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
strodeverbUS /stroʊd/
inflected form of “stride” — walk with long steps
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
TADnounUS /tæd/
a slight amount or degree of difference
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "If you consider it any of your business--I don't--then I'll say that I am writing to my mother."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
in or at the place that
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
which person or people
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Your impudence and your grammar are quite in keeping with each other," answered Tad laughingly.
someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The loungers, overcome by their curiosity, now began slowly creeping out into the open where they might witness what they were sure would follow.
Writin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Writin' letters?" jeered the bully.
the act of creating written works
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "If you consider it any of your business--I don't--then I'll say that I am writing to my mother."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Your impudence and your grammar are quite in keeping with each other," answered Tad laughingly.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading TAD BUTLER IN ACTION It may have been the tenderness of Chunky's youth, or the look that flashed from his eyes, but Smoky Griffin, after a moment, strode over to Tad Butler who sat calmly writing a letter to his mother.
