used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was unknown to any of them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They guessed him to be a miner just in from the creeks, dog-tired from his fight with the storm.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
blinkingadjectiveUS /ˈblɪŋkɪŋ/
closing the eyes intermittently and rapidly
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
confusedlyadverb
in a confused manner
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
creeksnounUS /kriːks/
plural of “creek” — a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading They guessed him to be a miner just in from the creeks, dog-tired from his fight with the storm.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading The men in the room regarded the newcomer with frank stares of curiosity.
dog-tiredadjective
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading They guessed him to be a miner just in from the creeks, dog-tired from his fight with the storm.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading They guessed him to be a miner just in from the creeks, dog-tired from his fight with the storm.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading The men in the room regarded the newcomer with frank stares of curiosity.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They guessed him to be a miner just in from the creeks, dog-tired from his fight with the storm.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading They guessed him to be a miner just in from the creeks, dog-tired from his fight with the storm.
hangers-on
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was unknown to any of them.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They guessed him to be a miner just in from the creeks, dog-tired from his fight with the storm.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
and nothing more
From this reading They guessed him to be a miner just in from the creeks, dog-tired from his fight with the storm.
MaxwellnounUS /ˈmækswel/
a cgs unit of magnetic flux equal to the flux perpendicular to an area of 1 square centimeter in a magnetic field of 1 gauss
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
the force of workers available
From this reading The men in the room regarded the newcomer with frank stares of curiosity.
minernounUS /ˈmaɪnər/
laborer who works in a mine
From this reading They guessed him to be a miner just in from the creeks, dog-tired from his fight with the storm.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
newcomernounUS /ˈnuːkʌmər/
any new participant in some activity
From this reading The men in the room regarded the newcomer with frank stares of curiosity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The men in the room regarded the newcomer with frank stares of curiosity.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading The men in the room regarded the newcomer with frank stares of curiosity.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The men in the room regarded the newcomer with frank stares of curiosity.
saloonnounUS /səˈluːn/
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
staresnounUS /sterz/
plural of “stare” — a fixed look with eyes open wide
From this reading The men in the room regarded the newcomer with frank stares of curiosity.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading They guessed him to be a miner just in from the creeks, dog-tired from his fight with the storm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He was unknown to any of them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They guessed him to be a miner just in from the creeks, dog-tired from his fight with the storm.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was unknown to any of them.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Without being told, one of the hangers-on of the saloon hurried out to care for the dogs, since their owner seemed almost helpless.
not known
From this reading He was unknown to any of them.
warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was unknown to any of them.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The men in the room regarded the newcomer with frank stares of curiosity.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading For a time Jim Maxwell stood there without movement, blinking confusedly, while his body drank in the steaming warmth.
