used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
Alex
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “It wouldn’t be strange if Clay got into trouble up there.”
on the far side of; further than
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boys started nervously.
an occurrence of something
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
ClaynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading “It wouldn’t be strange if Clay got into trouble up there.”
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
despondentadjectiveUS /dɪˈspɑːndənt/
without or almost without hope
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Alex nudged him with his elbow, in gentle reminder of his failing, and nodded toward the head of the pier.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading Alex nudged him with his elbow, in gentle reminder of his failing, and nodded toward the head of the pier.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Alex nudged him with his elbow, in gentle reminder of his failing, and nodded toward the head of the pier.
depressingly dark
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “It wouldn’t be strange if Clay got into trouble up there.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Alex nudged him with his elbow, in gentle reminder of his failing, and nodded toward the head of the pier.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Alex nudged him with his elbow, in gentle reminder of his failing, and nodded toward the head of the pier.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “It wouldn’t be strange if Clay got into trouble up there.”
imaginingverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənɪŋ/
-ing form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “It wouldn’t be strange if Clay got into trouble up there.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It wouldn’t be strange if Clay got into trouble up there.”
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
nervouslyadverbUS /ˈnɜːrvəsli/
in an anxiously nervous manner
From this reading The boys started nervously.
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading Alex nudged him with his elbow, in gentle reminder of his failing, and nodded toward the head of the pier.
nudgedverbUS /nʌdʒd/
past form of “nudge” — to push against gently
From this reading Alex nudged him with his elbow, in gentle reminder of his failing, and nodded toward the head of the pier.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
piernounUS /pɪr/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
the possibility of future success
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
remindernounUS /riˈmaɪndər/
a message that helps you remember something
From this reading Alex nudged him with his elbow, in gentle reminder of his failing, and nodded toward the head of the pier.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The boys started nervously.
not in physical motion
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading “It wouldn’t be strange if Clay got into trouble up there.”
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “It wouldn’t be strange if Clay got into trouble up there.”
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Alex nudged him with his elbow, in gentle reminder of his failing, and nodded toward the head of the pier.
a source of difficulty
From this reading “It wouldn’t be strange if Clay got into trouble up there.”
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “It wouldn’t be strange if Clay got into trouble up there.”
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
warehousenounUS /ˈwerhaʊs/
a storehouse for goods and merchandise
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
which person or people
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading While Alex and Case waited in the doorway, watching the figure near the warehouse, the circle of light in the street beyond, the whole gloomy prospect along the pier, the shrill voice of a police whistle cut the heavy air.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Alex nudged him with his elbow, in gentle reminder of his failing, and nodded toward the head of the pier.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading This from Case, who was still in his despondent mood, and was, as Alex had explained, imagining the worst and making himself think that was what was coming!
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It wouldn’t be strange if Clay got into trouble up there.”
