used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For just a second he breathed almost audibly and bit his lip, then he spoke.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading For just a second he breathed almost audibly and bit his lip, then he spoke.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They seemed ready enough to pay him the tribute of their attention when he really seemed to take an interest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FIVE, SIX, AND SEVEN Then Tom Slade stood up.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading They seemed ready enough to pay him the tribute of their attention when he really seemed to take an interest.
audiblyadverbUS /ˈɑːdəbli/
in an audible manner
From this reading For just a second he breathed almost audibly and bit his lip, then he spoke.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
balmnounUS /bɑːm/
any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing
From this reading They listened, a kind of balm of soothing silence pervaded the room, because he spoke so seldom these days.
for the reason that
From this reading They listened, a kind of balm of soothing silence pervaded the room, because he spoke so seldom these days.
a long seat for more than one person
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading For just a second he breathed almost audibly and bit his lip, then he spoke.
uttered without voice
From this reading For just a second he breathed almost audibly and bit his lip, then he spoke.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading They listened, a kind of balm of soothing silence pervaded the room, because he spoke so seldom these days.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading They seemed ready enough to pay him the tribute of their attention when he really seemed to take an interest.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading FIVE, SIX, AND SEVEN Then Tom Slade stood up.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For just a second he breathed almost audibly and bit his lip, then he spoke.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading They seemed ready enough to pay him the tribute of their attention when he really seemed to take an interest.
and nothing more
From this reading For just a second he breathed almost audibly and bit his lip, then he spoke.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading They listened, a kind of balm of soothing silence pervaded the room, because he spoke so seldom these days.
lipnounUS /lɪp/
either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading For just a second he breathed almost audibly and bit his lip, then he spoke.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading They listened, a kind of balm of soothing silence pervaded the room, because he spoke so seldom these days.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
nervouslyadverbUS /ˈnɜːrvəsli/
in an anxiously nervous manner
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
observingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
in other respects or ways
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading They seemed ready enough to pay him the tribute of their attention when he really seemed to take an interest.
pervadedverbUS /pərˈveɪdɪd/
past form of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through
From this reading They listened, a kind of balm of soothing silence pervaded the room, because he spoke so seldom these days.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading They seemed ready enough to pay him the tribute of their attention when he really seemed to take an interest.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading They seemed ready enough to pay him the tribute of their attention when he really seemed to take an interest.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading They listened, a kind of balm of soothing silence pervaded the room, because he spoke so seldom these days.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading For just a second he breathed almost audibly and bit his lip, then he spoke.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
not often
From this reading They listened, a kind of balm of soothing silence pervaded the room, because he spoke so seldom these days.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading FIVE, SIX, AND SEVEN Then Tom Slade stood up.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading They listened, a kind of balm of soothing silence pervaded the room, because he spoke so seldom these days.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading FIVE, SIX, AND SEVEN Then Tom Slade stood up.
Slade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIVE, SIX, AND SEVEN Then Tom Slade stood up.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They listened, a kind of balm of soothing silence pervaded the room, because he spoke so seldom these days.
soothingadjectiveUS /ˈsuːðɪŋ/
affording physical relief
From this reading They listened, a kind of balm of soothing silence pervaded the room, because he spoke so seldom these days.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading For just a second he breathed almost audibly and bit his lip, then he spoke.
stolidadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːləd/
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading FIVE, SIX, AND SEVEN Then Tom Slade stood up.
carry out
From this reading They seemed ready enough to pay him the tribute of their attention when he really seemed to take an interest.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They seemed ready enough to pay him the tribute of their attention when he really seemed to take an interest.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading FIVE, SIX, AND SEVEN Then Tom Slade stood up.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading They listened, a kind of balm of soothing silence pervaded the room, because he spoke so seldom these days.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They listened, a kind of balm of soothing silence pervaded the room, because he spoke so seldom these days.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
male cat
From this reading FIVE, SIX, AND SEVEN Then Tom Slade stood up.
tributenounUS /ˈtrɪbjuːt/
something given or done as an expression of esteem
From this reading They seemed ready enough to pay him the tribute of their attention when he really seemed to take an interest.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading FIVE, SIX, AND SEVEN Then Tom Slade stood up.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
at the time that
From this reading They seemed ready enough to pay him the tribute of their attention when he really seemed to take an interest.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Any one observing him carefully would have noticed that his hand which clung to the back of the bench moved nervously, but otherwise he seemed stolid and dull as usual.
