used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
anew
From this reading Before he could thank them for the hospitality so grudgingly extended, the policeman’s strident voice came again from the deck.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
appealingadjectiveUS /əˈpiːlɪŋ/
able to attract interest or draw favorable attention
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He shivered as he stood by the table and motioned to Clay to lock the door.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before he could thank them for the hospitality so grudgingly extended, the policeman’s strident voice came again from the deck.
be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
black-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
a youthful male person
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He shivered as he stood by the table and motioned to Clay to lock the door.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Before he could thank them for the hospitality so grudgingly extended, the policeman’s strident voice came again from the deck.
ClaynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Before he could thank them for the hospitality so grudgingly extended, the policeman’s strident voice came again from the deck.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Before he could thank them for the hospitality so grudgingly extended, the policeman’s strident voice came again from the deck.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
dodgedverbUS /dɑːdʒd/
past form of “dodge” — make a sudden movement in a new direction so as to avoid
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading Before he could thank them for the hospitality so grudgingly extended, the policeman’s strident voice came again from the deck.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Before he could thank them for the hospitality so grudgingly extended, the policeman’s strident voice came again from the deck.
gemsnounUS /dʒemz/
plural of “gem” — art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
grudginglyadverbUS /ˈɡrʌdʒɪŋli/
in a grudging manner
From this reading Before he could thank them for the hospitality so grudgingly extended, the policeman’s strident voice came again from the deck.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
hospitalitynounUS /ˌhɑːspəˈtæləti/
kindness in welcoming guests or strangers
From this reading Before he could thank them for the hospitality so grudgingly extended, the policeman’s strident voice came again from the deck.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
insufficientadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/
of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
fasten with a lock
From this reading He shivered as he stood by the table and motioned to Clay to lock the door.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
motionedverbUS /ˈmoʊʃənd/
past form of “motion” — show, express or direct through movement
From this reading He shivered as he stood by the table and motioned to Clay to lock the door.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
not any; not one
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
policeman'snounUS /pəˈliːsmənz/
possessive form of “policeman” — a member of a police force
From this reading Before he could thank them for the hospitality so grudgingly extended, the policeman’s strident voice came again from the deck.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
protestnounUS /ˈproʊtest/
a formal and solemn declaration of objection
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
cut with a saw
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
shiveredverbUS /ˈʃɪvərd/
past form of “shiver” — tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
From this reading He shivered as he stood by the table and motioned to Clay to lock the door.
sixteenadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːn/
being one more than fifteen
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
soakedadjectiveUS /soʊkt/
very drunk
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
stridentadjectiveUS /ˈstraɪdənt/
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
From this reading Before he could thank them for the hospitality so grudgingly extended, the policeman’s strident voice came again from the deck.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He shivered as he stood by the table and motioned to Clay to lock the door.
express gratitude or show appreciation to
From this reading Before he could thank them for the hospitality so grudgingly extended, the policeman’s strident voice came again from the deck.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A slender, black-eyed boy of about sixteen stood there, an appealing look on his face.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Before he could thank them for the hospitality so grudgingly extended, the policeman’s strident voice came again from the deck.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
at the time that
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The other boys made no protest, although the fear and dread of having gems which probably had been stolen—which, at least, did not belong to them—discovered in the cabin was in their hearts, so Clay swung the door open.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When he dodged into the cabin they saw that his clothing was shabby and insufficient for such a night, and that it was soaked with rain.
