used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading "If that had hit any one on the temple it would almost certainly have killed him."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "If that had hit any one on the temple it would almost certainly have killed him."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading "I was sure that no mere ball of snow could break that heavy window.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
terminate
From this reading "I was sure that no mere ball of snow could break that heavy window.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading "If that had hit any one on the temple it would almost certainly have killed him."
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "I was sure that no mere ball of snow could break that heavy window.
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading To put such a stone in a snowball was little less than criminal," he went on gravely.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading "That explains it," said Mr. Talley, as he examined the missile.
exclamationsnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃənz/
plural of “exclamation” — an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
explainsverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnz/
third-person singular of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading "That explains it," said Mr. Talley, as he examined the missile.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
in a grave and sober manner
From this reading To put such a stone in a snowball was little less than criminal," he went on gravely.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "If that had hit any one on the temple it would almost certainly have killed him."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "If that had hit any one on the temple it would almost certainly have killed him."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "That explains it," said Mr. Talley, as he examined the missile.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading "I was sure that no mere ball of snow could break that heavy window.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "If that had hit any one on the temple it would almost certainly have killed him."
cause to move by striking
From this reading "If that had hit any one on the temple it would almost certainly have killed him."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I was sure that no mere ball of snow could break that heavy window.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If that had hit any one on the temple it would almost certainly have killed him."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "That explains it," said Mr. Talley, as he examined the missile.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading "If that had hit any one on the temple it would almost certainly have killed him."
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading To put such a stone in a snowball was little less than criminal," he went on gravely.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To put such a stone in a snowball was little less than criminal," he went on gravely.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading "I was sure that no mere ball of snow could break that heavy window.
missilenounUS /ˈmɪsəl/
a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control
From this reading "That explains it," said Mr. Talley, as he examined the missile.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "That explains it," said Mr. Talley, as he examined the missile.
not any; not one
From this reading "I was sure that no mere ball of snow could break that heavy window.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To put such a stone in a snowball was little less than criminal," he went on gravely.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "If that had hit any one on the temple it would almost certainly have killed him."
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading To put such a stone in a snowball was little less than criminal," he went on gravely.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "That explains it," said Mr. Talley, as he examined the missile.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading "I was sure that no mere ball of snow could break that heavy window.
snowballnounUS /ˈsnoʊbɔːl/
plant having heads of fragrant white trumpet-shaped flowers; grows in sandy arid regions
From this reading To put such a stone in a snowball was little less than criminal," he went on gravely.
move an implement through
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading To put such a stone in a snowball was little less than criminal," he went on gravely.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
STUTTERINGverbUS /ˈstʌtərɪŋ/
-ing form of “stutter” — speak haltingly
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading To put such a stone in a snowball was little less than criminal," he went on gravely.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "I was sure that no mere ball of snow could break that heavy window.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
Talley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That explains it," said Mr. Talley, as he examined the missile.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading "If that had hit any one on the temple it would almost certainly have killed him."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To put such a stone in a snowball was little less than criminal," he went on gravely.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "That explains it," said Mr. Talley, as he examined the missile.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE STUTTERING VOICE There was a stir of interest and exclamations of surprise as those in the store crowded closer to get a better view.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading To put such a stone in a snowball was little less than criminal," he went on gravely.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading "I was sure that no mere ball of snow could break that heavy window.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "If that had hit any one on the temple it would almost certainly have killed him."
