used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I do not know who they are,” said he in a quavering voice.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
BelmontnounUS /ˈbelmɑːnt/
a racetrack for thoroughbred racing in Elmont on Long Island; site of the Belmont Stakes
From this reading “What’s the meaning of this, Mansoor?” cried Belmont harshly.
composeverbUS /kəmˈpoʊz/
form the substance of
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “What’s the meaning of this, Mansoor?” cried Belmont harshly.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “I do not know who they are,” said he in a quavering voice.
dragomannoun
an interpreter and guide in the Near East
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
FrenchmannounUS /ˈfrentʃmæn/
a person of French nationality
From this reading “Who they are?” cried the Frenchman.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
harshlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrʃli/
in a harsh or unkind manner
From this reading “What’s the meaning of this, Mansoor?” cried Belmont harshly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I do not know who they are,” said he in a quavering voice.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I do not know who they are,” said he in a quavering voice.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “I do not know who they are,” said he in a quavering voice.
lickedadjectiveUS /lɪkt/
having been got the better of
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
Mansoor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What’s the meaning of this, Mansoor?” cried Belmont harshly.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading “What’s the meaning of this, Mansoor?” cried Belmont harshly.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I do not know who they are,” said he in a quavering voice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “What’s the meaning of this, Mansoor?” cried Belmont harshly.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
quaveringadjectiveUS /ˈkweɪvərɪŋ/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading “I do not know who they are,” said he in a quavering voice.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I do not know who they are,” said he in a quavering voice.
plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
having a supporting base
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “What’s the meaning of this, Mansoor?” cried Belmont harshly.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I do not know who they are,” said he in a quavering voice.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “What’s the meaning of this, Mansoor?” cried Belmont harshly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The dragoman made an effort to compose himself, and licked his dry lips before he answered.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “I do not know who they are,” said he in a quavering voice.
What's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What’s the meaning of this, Mansoor?” cried Belmont harshly.
which person or people
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Who are these people, and why are you standing staring as if you had lost your senses?”
