used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
(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 But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And the sheriff continued to wait.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For Warden did not appear with his evidence.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
assaultnounUS /əˈsɔːlt/
close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
without stop or interruption
From this reading And the sheriff continued to wait.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading For Warden did not appear with his evidence.
disconcertedadjective
having self-possession upset; thrown into confusion
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading For Warden did not appear with his evidence.
failuresnounUS /ˈfeɪljərz/
plural of “failure” — an act that fails
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For Warden did not appear with his evidence.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/
be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
Lawler's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
marshalingverbUS /ˈmɑːrʃəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “marshal” — place in proper rank
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
MENACEverbUS /ˈmenəs/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
Moreton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
not any; not one
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For Warden did not appear with his evidence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
SheriffnounUS /ˈʃerəf/
the principal law-enforcement officer in a county
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And the sheriff continued to wait.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
trucenounUS /truːs/
a state of peace agreed to between opponents so they can discuss peace terms
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading And the sheriff continued to wait.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
WardennounUS /ˈwɔːr.dən/
The chief official or governor in charge of a prison institution.
From this reading A MENACE APPEARS Sheriff Moreton waited for Warden to act, as he had promised.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seemed that the power behind Warden had called a truce; that it had been disconcerted by its failures, and was waiting--slowly marshaling its forces for another assault.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For Warden did not appear with his evidence.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But the power was working secretly, if it worked at all, for during the winter there were no visible signs which would indicate activity on the part of Lawler's enemies.
