used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
absurdlyadverbUS /əbˈsɜːrdli/
in an absurd manner or to an absurd degree
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading The act had lacked none of the usual colorful stage setting.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
adjustverbUS /əˈdʒʌst/
alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
(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 "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
a quantity of money
From this reading The attacking party had boarded the train with just the right amount of theatrical bravado, but something went wrong.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
aspensnounUS /ˈæspənz/
plural of “aspen” — any of several trees of the genus Populus having leaves on flattened stalks so that they flutter in the lightest wind
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
attackingadjectiveUS /əˈtækɪŋ/
disposed to attack
From this reading The attacking party had boarded the train with just the right amount of theatrical bravado, but something went wrong.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
back-drop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
banditsnounUS /ˈbændəts/
plural of “bandit” — an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
BendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
boardedverbUS /ˈbɔːrdəd/
past form of “board” — get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading The attacking party had boarded the train with just the right amount of theatrical bravado, but something went wrong.
bravadonounUS /brəˈvɑːdoʊ/
a swaggering show of courage
From this reading The attacking party had boarded the train with just the right amount of theatrical bravado, but something went wrong.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The attacking party had boarded the train with just the right amount of theatrical bravado, but something went wrong.
clumpsnounUS /klʌmps/
plural of “clump” — a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
colorfuladjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərfəl/
having much or varied color
From this reading The act had lacked none of the usual colorful stage setting.
comedynounUS /ˈkɑːmədi/
light and humorous drama with a happy ending
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
cottonwoodsnounUS /ˈkɑːtənwʊdz/
plural of “cottonwood” — any of several North American trees of the genus Populus having a tuft of cottony hairs on the seed
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
Courtlandt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
crowningadjectiveUS /ˈkraʊnɪŋ/
representing a level of the highest possible achievement or attainment
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
half the width of an em
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
apart from; not including
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
fakenounUS /feɪk/
something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
gapnounUS /ɡæp/
a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
gropeverbUS /ɡroʊp/
feel about uncertainly or blindly
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The act had lacked none of the usual colorful stage setting.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
hatsnounUS /hæts/
plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
here's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
jailnounUS /dʒeɪl/
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
and nothing more
From this reading The attacking party had boarded the train with just the right amount of theatrical bravado, but something went wrong.
lackedverbUS /lækt/
past form of “lack” — be without
From this reading The act had lacked none of the usual colorful stage setting.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
most important element
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
missingadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsɪŋ/
not able to be found
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
musicaladjectiveUS /ˈmjuːzɪkəl/
characterized by or capable of producing music
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
not one, and not any
From this reading The act had lacked none of the usual colorful stage setting.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The attacking party had boarded the train with just the right amount of theatrical bravado, but something went wrong.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
repulseverbUS /riˈpʌls/
force or drive back
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The attacking party had boarded the train with just the right amount of theatrical bravado, but something went wrong.
rocketsnounUS /ˈrɑːkəts/
plural of “rocket” — any vehicle self-propelled by a rocket engine
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
routenounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
seatsnounUS /siːts/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading The act had lacked none of the usual colorful stage setting.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
skywardadjectiveUS /ˈskaɪwərd/
directed toward heaven or the sky
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
Slippyadjective
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The attacking party had boarded the train with just the right amount of theatrical bravado, but something went wrong.
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
splotchnoun
an irregularly shaped spot
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading The act had lacked none of the usual colorful stage setting.
starryadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːriː/
abounding with or resembling stars
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
theatricaladjectiveUS /θiˈætrɪkəl/
of or relating to the theater
From this reading The attacking party had boarded the train with just the right amount of theatrical bravado, but something went wrong.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
create by training and teaching
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "After all, it has been absurdly like the fake attack and repulse of bandits in a musical comedy, except--except for Phil," Courtlandt thought two hours later.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The act had lacked none of the usual colorful stage setting.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The attacking party had boarded the train with just the right amount of theatrical bravado, but something went wrong.
in or at the place that
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading There had been a starry heaven overhead, the dim outlines of the rocky gap for a back-drop, clumps of cottonwoods and aspens for side wings and for the crowning touch, two green rockets had sped skyward.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The attacking party had boarded the train with just the right amount of theatrical bravado, but something went wrong.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "And here's where the female portion of the audience would adjust hats and grope under the seats for missing articles," he added, as from the platform of the train he watched a splotch of darkness move slowly up the main street of Slippy Bend, en route for the jail.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading The attacking party had boarded the train with just the right amount of theatrical bravado, but something went wrong.
