used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Bob knew that something was apt to happen about that time; nor was he at all mistaken.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
(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 Bob knew that something was apt to happen about that time; nor was he at all mistaken.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading Bob knew that something was apt to happen about that time; nor was he at all mistaken.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Bob knew that something was apt to happen about that time; nor was he at all mistaken.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading Bob knew that something was apt to happen about that time; nor was he at all mistaken.
Bob'snounUS /bɑːbz/
possessive form of “bob” — a former monetary unit in Great Britain
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
cracklingnounUS /ˈkræklɪŋ/
the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading He saw a dark figure drop down upon the crouching fire-bug, and heard a startled exclamation.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He saw a dark figure drop down upon the crouching fire-bug, and heard a startled exclamation.
let fall to the ground
From this reading He saw a dark figure drop down upon the crouching fire-bug, and heard a startled exclamation.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
divisible by two
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading He saw a dark figure drop down upon the crouching fire-bug, and heard a startled exclamation.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading He saw a dark figure drop down upon the crouching fire-bug, and heard a startled exclamation.
fire-bug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
fuelverbUS /ˈfjuːəl/
provide with a combustible substance that provides energy
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
come to pass
From this reading Bob knew that something was apt to happen about that time; nor was he at all mistaken.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He saw a dark figure drop down upon the crouching fire-bug, and heard a startled exclamation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
hoveringverbUS /ˈhʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
indicatingverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
inflammableadjectiveUS /ɪnˈflæməbəl/
easily ignited
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
kerosenenounUS /ˈkerəsiːn/
a flammable hydrocarbon oil used as fuel in lamps and heaters
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
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 CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
engage in
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
Mendoza
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading Bob knew that something was apt to happen about that time; nor was he at all mistaken.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Bob knew that something was apt to happen about that time; nor was he at all mistaken.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
by chance
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw a dark figure drop down upon the crouching fire-bug, and heard a startled exclamation.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
soakedadjectiveUS /soʊkt/
very drunk
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Bob knew that something was apt to happen about that time; nor was he at all mistaken.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading He saw a dark figure drop down upon the crouching fire-bug, and heard a startled exclamation.
strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This immediately flashed into flame, indicating that Mendoza, in order in make sure of a good start, had soaked the material with some inflammable substance; perhaps kerosene.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Bob knew that something was apt to happen about that time; nor was he at all mistaken.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He saw a dark figure drop down upon the crouching fire-bug, and heard a startled exclamation.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Bob knew that something was apt to happen about that time; nor was he at all mistaken.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading CAUGHT IN THE ACT—CONCLUSION That crackling sound which came to Bob’s strained ears he knew must mean that a match had been struck.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
would-beadjective
unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
an affirmative
From this reading Yes, he could see the sudden little glow; and even managed to catch a view of a dark face hovering over some fuel that the would-be fire-bug had carried with him to the spot.
