used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading He had already shown the covering envelope and its instructions to Ruth, and she had ignored or misunderstood the warning.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The doctor reached for the key and studied it sombrely.
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
basedadjectiveUS /beɪst/
having a base
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading He had already shown the covering envelope and its instructions to Ruth, and she had ignored or misunderstood the warning.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading The doctor reached for the key and studied it sombrely.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading He had already shown the covering envelope and its instructions to Ruth, and she had ignored or misunderstood the warning.
fairnessnounUS /ˈfernəs/
conformity with rules or standards
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The doctor reached for the key and studied it sombrely.
foragingnounUS /ˈfɔːrɪdʒɪŋ/
the act of searching for food and provisions
From this reading He had no wish to go foraging in Spurlock's trunk.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He had no wish to go foraging in Spurlock's trunk.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had no wish to go foraging in Spurlock's trunk.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
ignoredadjectiveUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːrd/
disregarded
From this reading He had already shown the covering envelope and its instructions to Ruth, and she had ignored or misunderstood the warning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had no wish to go foraging in Spurlock's trunk.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading He had already shown the covering envelope and its instructions to Ruth, and she had ignored or misunderstood the warning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The doctor reached for the key and studied it sombrely.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He had already shown the covering envelope and its instructions to Ruth, and she had ignored or misunderstood the warning.
and nothing more
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading The doctor reached for the key and studied it sombrely.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
misunderstoodadjectiveUS /ˌmɪsəndərˈstʊd/
wrongly understood
From this reading He had already shown the covering envelope and its instructions to Ruth, and she had ignored or misunderstood the warning.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
not any; not one
From this reading He had no wish to go foraging in Spurlock's trunk.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had already shown the covering envelope and its instructions to Ruth, and she had ignored or misunderstood the warning.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The doctor reached for the key and studied it sombrely.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading He had already shown the covering envelope and its instructions to Ruth, and she had ignored or misunderstood the warning.
searchingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had already shown the covering envelope and its instructions to Ruth, and she had ignored or misunderstood the warning.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He had already shown the covering envelope and its instructions to Ruth, and she had ignored or misunderstood the warning.
sombrelyadverb
in a somber manner
From this reading The doctor reached for the key and studied it sombrely.
sparringnounUS /ˈspɑːrɪŋ/
an argument in which the participants are trying to gain some advantage
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
Spurlock's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had no wish to go foraging in Spurlock's trunk.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading The doctor reached for the key and studied it sombrely.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The doctor reached for the key and studied it sombrely.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading He had no wish to go foraging in Spurlock's trunk.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
ventnounUS /vent/
a hole for the escape of gas or air
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
a message informing of danger
From this reading He had already shown the covering envelope and its instructions to Ruth, and she had ignored or misunderstood the warning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The act was mechanical, a bit of sparring for time: his anger was searching about for a new vent.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was a just man, and he did not care to start any thunder which was not based upon fairness.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading He had no wish to go foraging in Spurlock's trunk.
