used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
(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 “The crystal detector is all right when we use the ear pieces.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
react verbally
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
concertsnounUS /ˈkɑːnsərts/
plural of “concert” — a performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
crystalnounUS /ˈkrɪstəl/
a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure
From this reading “The crystal detector is all right when we use the ear pieces.
detectornounUS /dɪˈtektər/
any device that receives a signal or stimulus (as heat or pressure or light or motion etc.) and responds to it in a distinctive manner
From this reading “The crystal detector is all right when we use the ear pieces.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading The doctor smiled genially.
doctor'snounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading “The crystal detector is all right when we use the ear pieces.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
figuredadjectiveUS /ˈfɪɡjərd/
(of e.g. fabric design) adorned with patterns
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
geniallyadverb
in an affable manner
From this reading The doctor smiled genially.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I knew you’d be wanting that sooner or later,” he said.
hornnounUS /hɔːrn/
a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I knew you’d be wanting that sooner or later,” he said.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “The crystal detector is all right when we use the ear pieces.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
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 “I knew you’d be wanting that sooner or later,” he said.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading “I knew you’d be wanting that sooner or later,” he said.
a large number or amount
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “I knew you’d be wanting that sooner or later,” he said.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading “The crystal detector is all right when we use the ear pieces.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
precisely, exactly
From this reading “The crystal detector is all right when we use the ear pieces.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I knew you’d be wanting that sooner or later,” he said.
Identical; not different.
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading The doctor smiled genially.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading “I knew you’d be wanting that sooner or later,” he said.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
tubenounUS /tuːb/
conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
the act of using
From this reading “The crystal detector is all right when we use the ear pieces.
vacuumnounUS /ˈvækjuːm/
the absence of matter
From this reading “It’s about getting a vacuum tube,” replied Bob, in answer to the doctor’s question.
nonexistent
From this reading “I knew you’d be wanting that sooner or later,” he said.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “The crystal detector is all right when we use the ear pieces.
at the time that
From this reading “The crystal detector is all right when we use the ear pieces.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we got to thinking about a horn so that lots of people could enjoy the concerts at the same time, and we figured that the crystal wouldn’t be quite good enough for that.”
you'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I knew you’d be wanting that sooner or later,” he said.
