used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
(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 “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
any thing at all
From this reading “Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
associatedverbUS /əˈsoʊsieɪtɪd/
past form of “associate” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
checkeredadjectiveUS /ˈtʃekərd/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
comicaladjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmɪkəl/
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
Dan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here’s the wreck of Dan’s trap,” remarked Leslie.
someone who is a detective
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading “Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
FOOTPRINTnounUS /ˈfʊtprɪnt/
a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
hasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
hatchverbUS /hætʃ/
emerge from the eggs
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
he's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
headingnounUS /ˈhedɪŋ/
a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
Here's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here’s the wreck of Dan’s trap,” remarked Leslie.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
the sound of laughing
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
Leslie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
Let's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
and nothing more
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading “Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
with speed
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading “Here’s the wreck of Dan’s trap,” remarked Leslie.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
smashedadjectiveUS /smæʃt/
very drunk
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading “Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
carry out
From this reading “Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
express in words
From this reading “Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
TELLTALEadjectiveUS /ˈtelteɪl/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
trapnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading “Here’s the wreck of Dan’s trap,” remarked Leslie.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it.
at the time that
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading “Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading “Here’s the wreck of Dan’s trap,” remarked Leslie.
