used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Is it a precaution?" he thought grimly, considering this serviceable obscurity.
(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 McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
Beecher's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
of short duration or distance
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading "Is it a precaution?" he thought grimly, considering this serviceable obscurity.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
defensiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈfensɪv/
intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
defiancenounUS /dɪˈfaɪəns/
intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
true confidential information
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
developsverbUS /dɪˈveləps/
third-person singular of “develop” — make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
disciplinedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪsəplənd/
obeying the rules
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
the act of discovering something
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
disjointedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈdʒɔɪntɪd/
lacking orderly continuity
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
elaborateadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæbrət/
marked by complexity and richness of detail
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
at any time
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
existsverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪsts/
third-person singular of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
facultiesnounUS /ˈfækəltiz/
plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
flushingverbUS /ˈflʌʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “flush” — turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
grimlyadverbUS /ˈɡrɪmli/
in a grim implacable manner
From this reading "Is it a precaution?" he thought grimly, considering this serviceable obscurity.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Is it a precaution?" he thought grimly, considering this serviceable obscurity.
heightenedverbUS /ˈhaɪtənd/
past form of “heighten” — become more extreme
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
inhalationnounUS /ɪnəˈleɪʃən/
the act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Is it a precaution?" he thought grimly, considering this serviceable obscurity.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Is it a precaution?" he thought grimly, considering this serviceable obscurity.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
McKenna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
not any; not one
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
obscuritynounUS /əbsˈkjʊrəti/
the quality of being unclear or abstruse and hard to understand
From this reading "Is it a precaution?" he thought grimly, considering this serviceable obscurity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
pointernounUS /ˈpɔɪntər/
a mark to indicate a direction or relation
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
precautionnounUS /priˈkɔːʃən/
a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading "Is it a precaution?" he thought grimly, considering this serviceable obscurity.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
second'snounUS /ˈsekəndz/
possessive form of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
serviceableadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrvəsəbəl/
ready for service or able to give long service
From this reading "Is it a precaution?" he thought grimly, considering this serviceable obscurity.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
Slade's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading He stopped in the center of the room, like a pointer flushing his game, and in the second’s rapid inhalation he completely changed his scheme of attack.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
techniquenounUS /tekˈniːk/
a practical method or art applied to some particular task
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Is it a precaution?" he thought grimly, considering this serviceable obscurity.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "Is it a precaution?" he thought grimly, considering this serviceable obscurity.
unguidedadjective
not subject to guidance or control after launching
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Every profession develops, back of its elaborate technique, a sudden quality of instinct which exists as the almost mechanical and unguided operation of the disciplined mind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading He felt a sudden heightened sense of curiosity and defiance, a feeling that had been growing within him ever since the discovery of Slade’s connection with the ring, and the brief, disjointed details of Beecher’s interview.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading McKenna had no sooner entered the room than he perceived the woman with a quick defensive "on guard" of all his faculties.
