used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But Tom Swift did not cease to wonder at the import of the talk about chemicals, fire, and the mention of the name of Josephus Baxter.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
Baxter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Tom Swift did not cease to wonder at the import of the talk about chemicals, fire, and the mention of the name of Josephus Baxter.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was caused by a waiter when he dropped a plate, which was smashed into pieces on the floor.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading It was caused by a waiter when he dropped a plate, which was smashed into pieces on the floor.
put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading But Tom Swift did not cease to wonder at the import of the talk about chemicals, fire, and the mention of the name of Josephus Baxter.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
chemicalsnounUS /ˈkemɪkəlz/
plural of “chemical” — material produced by or used in a reaction involving changes in atoms or molecules
From this reading But Tom Swift did not cease to wonder at the import of the talk about chemicals, fire, and the mention of the name of Josephus Baxter.
chinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But Tom Swift did not cease to wonder at the import of the talk about chemicals, fire, and the mention of the name of Josephus Baxter.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
accept an excuse for
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
farenounUS /fer/
an agenda of things to do
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
start firing a weapon
From this reading But Tom Swift did not cease to wonder at the import of the talk about chemicals, fire, and the mention of the name of Josephus Baxter.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading It was caused by a waiter when he dropped a plate, which was smashed into pieces on the floor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
the act of giving
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
importnounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrt/
commodities (goods or services) bought from a foreign country
From this reading But Tom Swift did not cease to wonder at the import of the talk about chemicals, fire, and the mention of the name of Josephus Baxter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
indicationnounUS /ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃən/
something that serves to indicate or suggest
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
indistinctadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt/
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was caused by a waiter when he dropped a plate, which was smashed into pieces on the floor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
JosephusnounUS /dʒoʊˈsiːfəs/
Jewish general who led the revolt of the Jews against the Romans and then wrote a history of those events (37-100)
From this reading But Tom Swift did not cease to wonder at the import of the talk about chemicals, fire, and the mention of the name of Josephus Baxter.
jumpingnounUS /ˈdʒʌmpɪŋ/
the act of participating in an athletic competition in which you must jump
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
make reference to
From this reading But Tom Swift did not cease to wonder at the import of the talk about chemicals, fire, and the mention of the name of Josephus Baxter.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
murmursnounUS /ˈmɜːrmərz/
plural of “murmur” — a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But Tom Swift did not cease to wonder at the import of the talk about chemicals, fire, and the mention of the name of Josephus Baxter.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
NestornounUS /ˈnestər/
(Greek mythology) a wise old counselor to the Greeks at Troy
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
not any; not one
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Tom Swift did not cease to wonder at the import of the talk about chemicals, fire, and the mention of the name of Josephus Baxter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was caused by a waiter when he dropped a plate, which was smashed into pieces on the floor.
and nothing more
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading It was caused by a waiter when he dropped a plate, which was smashed into pieces on the floor.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading It was caused by a waiter when he dropped a plate, which was smashed into pieces on the floor.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
resounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
restaurantnounUS /ˈrestərɑːnt/
a building where people go to eat
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
screennounUS /skriːn/
a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
smashedadjectiveUS /smæʃt/
very drunk
From this reading It was caused by a waiter when he dropped a plate, which was smashed into pieces on the floor.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
SUSPICIONSnounUS /səˈspɪʃənz/
plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
moving very fast
From this reading But Tom Swift did not cease to wonder at the import of the talk about chemicals, fire, and the mention of the name of Josephus Baxter.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The noise was startling enough to excuse Mary for jumping in her chair, and it seemed to put an end to the strange talk of "Mr. High" and "Mr. Low" back of the screen, for after the crash of china only indistinct murmurs came from there.
male cat
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
Tom'snounUS /tɑːmz/
possessive form of “tom” — male cat
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
waiternounUS /ˈweɪtər/
a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)
From this reading It was caused by a waiter when he dropped a plate, which was smashed into pieces on the floor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was caused by a waiter when he dropped a plate, which was smashed into pieces on the floor.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading A crash had resounded through the room, but it spoke well for the state of Tom's nerves that he gave no indication that he had heard the noise.
What's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUSPICIONS "What's that?" exclaimed Mary Nestor, giving such a start as she sat opposite Tom at the restaurant table that she dropped the bill of fare she had been looking over.
at the time that
From this reading It was caused by a waiter when he dropped a plate, which was smashed into pieces on the floor.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was caused by a waiter when he dropped a plate, which was smashed into pieces on the floor.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading But Tom Swift did not cease to wonder at the import of the talk about chemicals, fire, and the mention of the name of Josephus Baxter.
