used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Brett closed the book with a snap.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His lips quivered, his nostrils twitched, and his eyes shot strange gleams.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He caught the back of his chair with both hands in a grasp that tried to squeeze the tough oak.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Brett closed the book with a snap.
the two together, not just one
From this reading He caught the back of his chair with both hands in a grasp that tried to squeeze the tough oak.
Brett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brett closed the book with a snap.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading He caught the back of his chair with both hands in a grasp that tried to squeeze the tough oak.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading He caught the back of his chair with both hands in a grasp that tried to squeeze the tough oak.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Brett closed the book with a snap.
CuriouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Curiously enough, Hume paid no heed to the question.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Curiously enough, Hume paid no heed to the question.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His lips quivered, his nostrils twitched, and his eyes shot strange gleams.
gleamsnounUS /ɡliːmz/
plural of “gleam” — an appearance of reflected light
From this reading His lips quivered, his nostrils twitched, and his eyes shot strange gleams.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
hold firmly
From this reading He caught the back of his chair with both hands in a grasp that tried to squeeze the tough oak.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He caught the back of his chair with both hands in a grasp that tried to squeeze the tough oak.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
heednounUS /hiːd/
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
From this reading Curiously enough, Hume paid no heed to the question.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His lips quivered, his nostrils twitched, and his eyes shot strange gleams.
HumenounUS /hjuːm/
Scottish philosopher skeptical philosophy restricted human knowledge to that which can be perceived by the senses (1711-1776)
From this reading Curiously enough, Hume paid no heed to the question.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He caught the back of his chair with both hands in a grasp that tried to squeeze the tough oak.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading His lips quivered, his nostrils twitched, and his eyes shot strange gleams.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
not any; not one
From this reading Curiously enough, Hume paid no heed to the question.
nostrilsnounUS /ˈnɑːstrəlz/
plural of “nostril” — either one of the two external openings to the nasal cavity in the nose
From this reading His lips quivered, his nostrils twitched, and his eyes shot strange gleams.
oaknounUS /oʊk/
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading He caught the back of his chair with both hands in a grasp that tried to squeeze the tough oak.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He caught the back of his chair with both hands in a grasp that tried to squeeze the tough oak.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading Curiously enough, Hume paid no heed to the question.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Curiously enough, Hume paid no heed to the question.
quivered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lips quivered, his nostrils twitched, and his eyes shot strange gleams.
reopenverbUS /riˈoʊpən/
open again or anew
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading His lips quivered, his nostrils twitched, and his eyes shot strange gleams.
snapverbUS /snæp/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading Brett closed the book with a snap.
squeezeverbUS /skwiːz/
to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
From this reading He caught the back of his chair with both hands in a grasp that tried to squeeze the tough oak.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading His lips quivered, his nostrils twitched, and his eyes shot strange gleams.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He caught the back of his chair with both hands in a grasp that tried to squeeze the tough oak.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Brett closed the book with a snap.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
toughadjectiveUS /tʌf/
not given to gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading He caught the back of his chair with both hands in a grasp that tried to squeeze the tough oak.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading He caught the back of his chair with both hands in a grasp that tried to squeeze the tough oak.
twitchedverbUS /twɪtʃt/
past form of “twitch” — make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion
From this reading His lips quivered, his nostrils twitched, and his eyes shot strange gleams.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What good purpose can it serve at this time to reopen the miserable story?" he asked.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Brett closed the book with a snap.
