used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was like a hound on a hot scent.
afireadjectiveUS /əˈfaɪr/
lighted up by or as by fire or flame
From this reading His mind was afire, his whole being was keyed up.
Alec
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He felt that he had his quarry almost within his reach.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading His mind was afire, his whole being was keyed up.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt that he had his quarry almost within his reach.
graspedverbUS /ɡræspt/
past form of “grasp” — hold firmly
From this reading He wanted to press on at top speed until he grasped the prize.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He felt that he had his quarry almost within his reach.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading He was like a hound on a hot scent.
houndnounUS /haʊnd/
any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears
From this reading He was like a hound on a hot scent.
investigationsnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “investigation” — an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
keyedadjectiveUS /kiːd/
fitted with or secured by a key
From this reading His mind was afire, his whole being was keyed up.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He was like a hound on a hot scent.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading His mind was afire, his whole being was keyed up.
a particular point in time
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
oyster-beds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading He wanted to press on at top speed until he grasped the prize.
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading He wanted to press on at top speed until he grasped the prize.
quarrynounUS /ˈkwɔːri/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading He felt that he had his quarry almost within his reach.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He felt that he had his quarry almost within his reach.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading He was like a hound on a hot scent.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
move hurridly
From this reading He wanted to press on at top speed until he grasped the prize.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
the upper part of anything
From this reading He wanted to press on at top speed until he grasped the prize.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He wanted to press on at top speed until he grasped the prize.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading His mind was afire, his whole being was keyed up.
precisely as stated
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He wanted to press on at top speed until he grasped the prize.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE GREAT SECRET So eager was Alec to return to his investigations that he slipped back to the oyster-beds that very night, so as to be on hand at the earliest possible moment next day.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading His mind was afire, his whole being was keyed up.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading He felt that he had his quarry almost within his reach.
