used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading LOSING THEIR BEARINGS Bob chose to consider this a direct challenge.
any thing at all
From this reading "Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other replied.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other replied.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
BEARINGSnounUS /ˈberɪŋz/
plural of “bearing” — relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading LOSING THEIR BEARINGS Bob chose to consider this a direct challenge.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading LOSING THEIR BEARINGS Bob chose to consider this a direct challenge.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But I saw it, I give you my word I did.
challengeverbUS /ˈtʃæləndʒ/
take exception to
From this reading LOSING THEIR BEARINGS Bob chose to consider this a direct challenge.
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading LOSING THEIR BEARINGS Bob chose to consider this a direct challenge.
deem to be
From this reading LOSING THEIR BEARINGS Bob chose to consider this a direct challenge.
coolnessnounUS /ˈkuːlnəs/
calm and unruffled self-assurance
From this reading Where is it, Frank?" he remarked, with perfect coolness.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "But I saw it, I give you my word I did.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
command with authority
From this reading LOSING THEIR BEARINGS Bob chose to consider this a direct challenge.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Where is it, Frank?" he remarked, with perfect coolness.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading "But I saw it, I give you my word I did.
destroyed or killed
From this reading "Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other replied.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other replied.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Where is it, Frank?" he remarked, with perfect coolness.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Where is it, Frank?" he remarked, with perfect coolness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading LOSING THEIR BEARINGS Bob chose to consider this a direct challenge.
engage in
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other replied.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "But I saw it, I give you my word I did.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other replied.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading Where is it, Frank?" he remarked, with perfect coolness.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading Where is it, Frank?" he remarked, with perfect coolness.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other replied.
cut with a saw
From this reading "But I saw it, I give you my word I did.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading "Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other replied.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other replied.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading LOSING THEIR BEARINGS Bob chose to consider this a direct challenge.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading LOSING THEIR BEARINGS Bob chose to consider this a direct challenge.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading LOSING THEIR BEARINGS Bob chose to consider this a direct challenge.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other replied.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other replied.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
in or at the place that
From this reading Where is it, Frank?" he remarked, with perfect coolness.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other replied.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Where is it, Frank?" he remarked, with perfect coolness.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading "But I saw it, I give you my word I did.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "I expect that it would be queer if we didn't make some sort of effort to find out what the light means.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well, it must have gone out while you were speaking, Bob, as sure as anything," the other replied.
