used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FLANK MOVEMENT.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
(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 Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
assistantnounUS /əˈsɪstənt/
a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
comfortingadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪŋ/
providing freedom from worry
From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
detective'snounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
possessive form of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
having made preparations
From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
flabbergastedadjectiveUS /ˈflæbərɡæstɪd/
as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
FLANKnounUS /flæŋk/
the side of military or naval formation
From this reading A FLANK MOVEMENT.
foesnounUS /foʊz/
plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
Grantley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
Grantley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
momentaryadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊmənteri/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading A FLANK MOVEMENT.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
Nick'snounUS /nɪks/
possessive form of “nick” — an impression in a surface (as made by a blow)
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
and nothing more
From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
Patsy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
relinquishverbUS /rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ/
part with a possession or right
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
hit with a missile from a weapon
From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading They did not seem disposed to shoot, and that was the only comforting fact that stood out.
surgeon'snounUS /ˈsɜːrdʒənz/
possessive form of “surgeon” — a physician who specializes in surgery
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
threatnounUS /θret/
something that is a source of danger
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
unenviableadjectiveUS /əˈnenviːəbəl/
hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
vivisectionistnoun
a biologist who cuts open live animals for research
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nick’s assistant did not need to be told that his own position was a decidedly unenviable one, despite the momentary advantage he had gained over Doctor Grantley.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Patsy’s back was turned to his seven foes, all of whom were bent upon “getting” him in almost any way they could.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young detective’s threat to fire into Grantley’s body if the vivisectionist did not relinquish his hold on Nick’s throat took the old surgeon’s friends by surprise and flabbergasted them for a few seconds.
