Chapter IX · Chapter 9

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Fifteen minutes passed without a word being spoken.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Fifteen minutes passed without a word being spoken.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

a youthful male person

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading It was so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop.

totally submissive

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading There was deep silence in the room.

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading "What did you do it for?" thundered the captain suddenly.

unaffected by self-interest

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "What did you do it for?" thundered the captain suddenly.

suitable to or characteristic of drama

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

let fall to the ground

From this reading It was so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

-ing form of “eye” — look at

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading Fifteen minutes passed without a word being spoken.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "What did you do it for?" thundered the captain suddenly.

made afraid

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading It was so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

deeply or markedly affected or influenced

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading There was deep silence in the room.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

plural of “message” — a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading Fifteen minutes passed without a word being spoken.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

on one occasion

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Fifteen minutes passed without a word being spoken.

to hold fast or prevent from moving

From this reading It was so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop.

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading It was so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading There was deep silence in the room.

the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

a garment worn on the upper half of the body

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading There was deep silence in the room.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop.

covered with bright patches (often used in combination)

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Fifteen minutes passed without a word being spoken.

with sternness; in a severe manner

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading "What did you do it for?" thundered the captain suddenly.

a group of people attractively arranged (as if in a painting)

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading There was deep silence in the room.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was deep silence in the room.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

past form of “thunder” — move fast, noisily, and heavily

From this reading "What did you do it for?" thundered the captain suddenly.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

of imposing height; especially standing out above others

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There was deep silence in the room.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What did you do it for?" thundered the captain suddenly.

a Caucasian

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Fifteen minutes passed without a word being spoken.

someone who sees an event and reports what happened

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Fifteen minutes passed without a word being spoken.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Had a disinterested spectator been there to witness it, he would have been at once impressed by the dramatic tableau presented--the dead man on the floor, his white shirt front spattered with blood, the cringing, frightened boy crouching in the chair, the towering figure of the police captain sitting sternly eyeing his hapless prisoner, and at the far end of the room Detective Sergeant Maloney busy sending hurried messages through the telephone.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "What did you do it for?" thundered the captain suddenly.