used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His mother answered, and there was a pause.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His mother answered, and there was a pause.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading His mother answered, and there was a pause.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On battery power at the telephone central office, he thought.
batterynounUS /ˈbætəri/
group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place
From this reading On battery power at the telephone central office, he thought.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home."
centraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading On battery power at the telephone central office, he thought.
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading "Professor Maddox is at the college," she said.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home."
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Professor Maddox is at the college," she said.
KennounUS /ken/
range of what one can know or understand
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
Maddox
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Professor Maddox is at the college," she said.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home."
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading His mother answered, and there was a pause.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading On battery power at the telephone central office, he thought.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On battery power at the telephone central office, he thought.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home."
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading His mother answered, and there was a pause.
phonenounUS /foʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading On battery power at the telephone central office, he thought.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home."
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading "Professor Maddox is at the college," she said.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home."
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Professor Maddox is at the college," she said.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Professor Maddox is at the college," she said.
shockedadjectiveUS /ʃɑːkt/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading On battery power at the telephone central office, he thought.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
in or at that place or location
From this reading His mother answered, and there was a pause.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading On battery power at the telephone central office, he thought.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His mother answered, and there was a pause.
at the time that
From this reading "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home."
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home."
