used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
anew
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The work table was almost bare of the equipment he had ordered.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Yet it was useless work--the gleaming thing he had built would never so much as fry an egg.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
completely unclothed
From this reading The work table was almost bare of the equipment he had ordered.
for the reason that
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Yet it was useless work--the gleaming thing he had built would never so much as fry an egg.
ContraptionnounUS /kənˈtræpʃən/
a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
devouredverbUS /dɪˈvaʊərd/
past form of “devour” — destroy completely
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
Doug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doug worked silently.
eggnounUS /eɡ/
animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds
From this reading Yet it was useless work--the gleaming thing he had built would never so much as fry an egg.
equipmentnounUS /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/
an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a service
From this reading The work table was almost bare of the equipment he had ordered.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
provide as food
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
flaggingnounUS /ˈflæɡɪŋ/
flagstones collectively
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
fryverbUS /fraɪ/
be excessively hot
From this reading Yet it was useless work--the gleaming thing he had built would never so much as fry an egg.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading Yet it was useless work--the gleaming thing he had built would never so much as fry an egg.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The work table was almost bare of the equipment he had ordered.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
a particular point in time
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Yet it was useless work--the gleaming thing he had built would never so much as fry an egg.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Yet it was useless work--the gleaming thing he had built would never so much as fry an egg.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The work table was almost bare of the equipment he had ordered.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading The work table was almost bare of the equipment he had ordered.
preciselyadverbUS /prɪˈsaɪsli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
rubverbUS /rʌb/
move over something with pressure
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
without speaking
From this reading Doug worked silently.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
stungadjectiveUS /stʌŋ/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The work table was almost bare of the equipment he had ordered.
tautadjectiveUS /tɔːt/
pulled or drawn tight
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The work table was almost bare of the equipment he had ordered.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
a special situation
From this reading Yet it was useless work--the gleaming thing he had built would never so much as fry an egg.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading Yet it was useless work--the gleaming thing he had built would never so much as fry an egg.
vitalsnoun
a bodily organ that is essential for life
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The work table was almost bare of the equipment he had ordered.
wastedadjectiveUS /ˈweɪstɪd/
serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
From this reading His eyes stung, and he wasted a moment to rub them again, because he must see, must see so precisely, so exactly.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The new Contraption had devoured it into its fantastic vitals as fast as his taut hands and flagging memory were able to feed.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The work table was almost bare of the equipment he had ordered.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Doug worked silently.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Yet it was useless work--the gleaming thing he had built would never so much as fry an egg.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet it was useless work--the gleaming thing he had built would never so much as fry an egg.
