used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
(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 They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/
a formal public statement
From this reading THE INITIAL The inspector’s announcement gave Jim Barrison food for thought.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
a line of approach
From this reading He turned up his coat collar and ran for a Sixth Avenue car.
Barrison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE INITIAL The inspector’s announcement gave Jim Barrison food for thought.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Under the circumstances, his library at home would be a pleasanter place for speculation than the corner of a street.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading He turned up his coat collar and ran for a Sixth Avenue car.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Under the circumstances, his library at home would be a pleasanter place for speculation than the corner of a street.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading He turned up his coat collar and ran for a Sixth Avenue car.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading He turned up his coat collar and ran for a Sixth Avenue car.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Under the circumstances, his library at home would be a pleasanter place for speculation than the corner of a street.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
dropsnounUS /drɑːps/
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
establishverbUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/
set up or found
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
examinationnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading Then why had Lowry let Sybil go with no further examination?
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
firearmsnounUS /ˈfaɪərɑːrmz/
plural of “firearm” — a portable gun
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading THE INITIAL The inspector’s announcement gave Jim Barrison food for thought.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE INITIAL The inspector’s announcement gave Jim Barrison food for thought.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Then why had Lowry let Sybil go with no further examination?
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading THE INITIAL The inspector’s announcement gave Jim Barrison food for thought.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Then why had Lowry let Sybil go with no further examination?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then why had Lowry let Sybil go with no further examination?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
heraldedadjectiveUS /ˈherəldɪd/
publicly announced
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Under the circumstances, his library at home would be a pleasanter place for speculation than the corner of a street.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Under the circumstances, his library at home would be a pleasanter place for speculation than the corner of a street.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
INITIALnounUS /ˌɪˈnɪʃəl/
the first letter of a word (especially a person's name)
From this reading THE INITIAL The inspector’s announcement gave Jim Barrison food for thought.
inspector'snounUS /ˌɪnˈspektərz/
possessive form of “inspector” — a high ranking police officer
From this reading THE INITIAL The inspector’s announcement gave Jim Barrison food for thought.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE INITIAL The inspector’s announcement gave Jim Barrison food for thought.
and nothing more
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
immediately past
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Then why had Lowry let Sybil go with no further examination?
a room where books are kept
From this reading Under the circumstances, his library at home would be a pleasanter place for speculation than the corner of a street.
LowrynounUS /ˈlaʊri/
English painter (1887-1976)
From this reading Then why had Lowry let Sybil go with no further examination?
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
not any; not one
From this reading Then why had Lowry let Sybil go with no further examination?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Under the circumstances, his library at home would be a pleasanter place for speculation than the corner of a street.
pleasanter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the circumstances, his library at home would be a pleasanter place for speculation than the corner of a street.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
practicedadjectiveUS /ˈpræktəst/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He turned up his coat collar and ran for a Sixth Avenue car.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
SixthadjectiveUS /sɪksθ/
coming next after the fifth and just before the seventh in position
From this reading He turned up his coat collar and ran for a Sixth Avenue car.
speculationnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading Under the circumstances, his library at home would be a pleasanter place for speculation than the corner of a street.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Under the circumstances, his library at home would be a pleasanter place for speculation than the corner of a street.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
Sybil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then why had Lowry let Sybil go with no further examination?
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Under the circumstances, his library at home would be a pleasanter place for speculation than the corner of a street.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE INITIAL The inspector’s announcement gave Jim Barrison food for thought.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then why had Lowry let Sybil go with no further examination?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading THE INITIAL The inspector’s announcement gave Jim Barrison food for thought.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He turned up his coat collar and ran for a Sixth Avenue car.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Under the circumstances, his library at home would be a pleasanter place for speculation than the corner of a street.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He turned up his coat collar and ran for a Sixth Avenue car.
the act of using
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Then why had Lowry let Sybil go with no further examination?
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then why had Lowry let Sybil go with no further examination?
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They would have to establish next her possession of a weapon, and the fact that she was sufficiently practiced in the use of firearms to have hers marked with her initial, and—— But just then he discovered that it had begun to rain at last; big drops heralded the storm that had been threatening all the evening.
