used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was about to speak when the swing-doors opened, and two strangers strolled in.
amiableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmiəbəl/
disposed to please
From this reading Minky greeted them, "Howdy?" and received an amiable response.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading STRANGERS IN SUFFERING CREEK Bill watched the men depart.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading STRANGERS IN SUFFERING CREEK Bill watched the men depart.
departverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrt/
move away from a place into another direction
From this reading STRANGERS IN SUFFERING CREEK Bill watched the men depart.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The stolid Minky, too, followed them with his eyes.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The stolid Minky, too, followed them with his eyes.
gamblernounUS /ˈɡæmblər/
a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading Minky greeted them, "Howdy?" and received an amiable response.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The stolid Minky, too, followed them with his eyes.
HowdynounUS /ˈhaʊdi/
an expression of greeting
From this reading Minky greeted them, "Howdy?" and received an amiable response.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading STRANGERS IN SUFFERING CREEK Bill watched the men depart.
the force of workers available
From this reading STRANGERS IN SUFFERING CREEK Bill watched the men depart.
Minky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stolid Minky, too, followed them with his eyes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading He was about to speak when the swing-doors opened, and two strangers strolled in.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Minky greeted them, "Howdy?" and received an amiable response.
recliningnounUS /rɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/
the act of assuming or maintaining a reclining position
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading Minky greeted them, "Howdy?" and received an amiable response.
shrewdadjectiveUS /ʃruːd/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
express in speech
From this reading He was about to speak when the swing-doors opened, and two strangers strolled in.
stolidadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːləd/
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
From this reading The stolid Minky, too, followed them with his eyes.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading STRANGERS IN SUFFERING CREEK Bill watched the men depart.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
strolledverbUS /stroʊld/
past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading He was about to speak when the swing-doors opened, and two strangers strolled in.
a state of acute pain
From this reading STRANGERS IN SUFFERING CREEK Bill watched the men depart.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
swing-doors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was about to speak when the swing-doors opened, and two strangers strolled in.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading STRANGERS IN SUFFERING CREEK Bill watched the men depart.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The stolid Minky, too, followed them with his eyes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The stolid Minky, too, followed them with his eyes.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He was about to speak when the swing-doors opened, and two strangers strolled in.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But as they disappeared through the doorway he turned to the gambler, and, in surprise, discovered that he was reclining in a chair, stretched out in an attitude of repose, with his shrewd eyes tightly closed.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading STRANGERS IN SUFFERING CREEK Bill watched the men depart.
at the time that
From this reading He was about to speak when the swing-doors opened, and two strangers strolled in.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The stolid Minky, too, followed them with his eyes.
