used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
(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 “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading “That was the queer part of it,” the other pursued, for anything touching on a mystery always excited Bob.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
any thing at all
From this reading “That was the queer part of it,” the other pursued, for anything touching on a mystery always excited Bob.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
for the reason that
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
bendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
chuckledverbUS /ˈtʃʌkəld/
past form of “chuckle” — laugh quietly or with restraint
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
chumnounUS /tʃʌm/
a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
declareverbUS /dɪˈkler/
state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
greatly pleased
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading “That was the queer part of it,” the other pursued, for anything touching on a mystery always excited Bob.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
guessingnounUS /ˈɡesɪŋ/
an estimate based on little or no information
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading “That was the queer part of it,” the other pursued, for anything touching on a mystery always excited Bob.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading “That was the queer part of it,” the other pursued, for anything touching on a mystery always excited Bob.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
packetnounUS /ˈpækət/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading “That was the queer part of it,” the other pursued, for anything touching on a mystery always excited Bob.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
a person who is being chased
From this reading “That was the queer part of it,” the other pursued, for anything touching on a mystery always excited Bob.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
on the contrary
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
cut with a saw
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
a state of acute pain
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
possessing sweep
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
moving very fast
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
express in words
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
arousing affect
From this reading “That was the queer part of it,” the other pursued, for anything touching on a mystery always excited Bob.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
having passed out of existence
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Well, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
(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, we must let it go at guessing; because you heard me promise not to tear this envelope open for seven days,” Frank remarked.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading IN SEARCH OF GAME “What under the sun did he mean by that, Frank?” asked Bob, after the boat had swept around a bend on the swift river, and vanished from their view.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
which person or people
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
the act of creating written works
From this reading “He was writing something, and then I saw him put it in that envelope, or packet, smiling all the time as if delighted; which I thought was rather queer for a man who was suffering from such a bad leg,” Bob went on.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I declare I can’t tell you,” chuckled his chum, looking at the envelope, which he was turning over in his hand.
