used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CATCHING A THIEF.
(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 The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
react verbally
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, in a quick, imperious tone.
for the reason that
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
CATCHINGnounUS /ˈkætʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team
From this reading CATCHING A THIEF.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading "What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, in a quick, imperious tone.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
disreputableadjectiveUS /dɪsˈrepjətəbəl/
lacking respectability in character or behavior or appearance
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading "What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, in a quick, imperious tone.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, in a quick, imperious tone.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
the act of retaining something
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
imperiousadjUS /ɪmˈpɪr.i.əs/
Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering. (Hách dịch, độc đoán, kiêu kỳ.)
From this reading "What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, in a quick, imperious tone.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, in a quick, imperious tone.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
keysnounUS /kiːz/
plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, once more.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
on one occasion
From this reading "What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, once more.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading "What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, in a quick, imperious tone.
on the contrary
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading "What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, in a quick, imperious tone.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
express in words
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
not in physical motion
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
THIEFnounUS /θiːf/
a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading CATCHING A THIEF.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, in a quick, imperious tone.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He did not answer immediately, probably because it was rather difficult to decide what to say.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, in a quick, imperious tone.
which person or people
From this reading The man, like all who are engaged in a disreputable deed, started suddenly and half rose from his crouching position, still holding the keys in his hand.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What are you doing here?" demanded Robert, in a quick, imperious tone.
