AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The strangers appeared to have heeded the caution of one of their number and were speaking in low tones.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The strangers appeared to have heeded the caution of one of their number and were speaking in low tones.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Mr. Swift's son passed the table where the men sat they looked up quickly at him.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Two of them gave Tom but a passing glance, but one--he whom the young inventor had noticed in the post-office--stared long and intently.
catchverbUS /kætʃ/
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading The strangers appeared to have heeded the caution of one of their number and were speaking in low tones.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
endeavornounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
finishedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪnɪʃt/
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading Tom and Ned finished their meal, and started to leave the restaurant.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Two of them gave Tom but a passing glance, but one--he whom the young inventor had noticed in the post-office--stared long and intently.
glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Two of them gave Tom but a passing glance, but one--he whom the young inventor had noticed in the post-office--stared long and intently.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Two of them gave Tom but a passing glance, but one--he whom the young inventor had noticed in the post-office--stared long and intently.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The strangers appeared to have heeded the caution of one of their number and were speaking in low tones.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
hearverbUS /hiːr/
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
heededverbUS /ˈhiːdəd/
past form of “heed” — pay close attention to; give heed to
From this reading The strangers appeared to have heeded the caution of one of their number and were speaking in low tones.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
indistinctadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt/
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/
someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading Tom and Ned finished their meal, and started to leave the restaurant.
listenedverbUS /ˈlɪsənd/
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Two of them gave Tom but a passing glance, but one--he whom the young inventor had noticed in the post-office--stared long and intently.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As Mr. Swift's son passed the table where the men sat they looked up quickly at him.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The strangers appeared to have heeded the caution of one of their number and were speaking in low tones.
mealnounUS /miːl/
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading Tom and Ned finished their meal, and started to leave the restaurant.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading As Mr. Swift's son passed the table where the men sat they looked up quickly at him.
murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom and Ned finished their meal, and started to leave the restaurant.
noticedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəst/
being perceived or observed
From this reading Two of them gave Tom but a passing glance, but one--he whom the young inventor had noticed in the post-office--stared long and intently.
numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The strangers appeared to have heeded the caution of one of their number and were speaking in low tones.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The strangers appeared to have heeded the caution of one of their number and were speaking in low tones.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading As Mr. Swift's son passed the table where the men sat they looked up quickly at him.
passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Two of them gave Tom but a passing glance, but one--he whom the young inventor had noticed in the post-office--stared long and intently.
post-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two of them gave Tom but a passing glance, but one--he whom the young inventor had noticed in the post-office--stared long and intently.
quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/
with speed
From this reading As Mr. Swift's son passed the table where the men sat they looked up quickly at him.
restaurantnounUS /ˈrestərɑːnt/
a building where people go to eat
From this reading Tom and Ned finished their meal, and started to leave the restaurant.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading As Mr. Swift's son passed the table where the men sat they looked up quickly at him.
SMASH-UPnoun
a serious collision (especially of motor vehicles)
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading As Mr. Swift's son passed the table where the men sat they looked up quickly at him.
speakingnounUS /ˈspiːkɪŋ/
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading The strangers appeared to have heeded the caution of one of their number and were speaking in low tones.
staredverbUS /sterd/
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Two of them gave Tom but a passing glance, but one--he whom the young inventor had noticed in the post-office--stared long and intently.
startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Tom and Ned finished their meal, and started to leave the restaurant.
strangersnounUS /ˈstreɪndʒərz/
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading The strangers appeared to have heeded the caution of one of their number and were speaking in low tones.
Swift'snounUS /swɪfts/
possessive form of “swift” — United States meat-packer who began the use of refrigerated railroad cars (1839-1903)
From this reading As Mr. Swift's son passed the table where the men sat they looked up quickly at him.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The strangers appeared to have heeded the caution of one of their number and were speaking in low tones.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Two of them gave Tom but a passing glance, but one--he whom the young inventor had noticed in the post-office--stared long and intently.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Mr. Swift's son passed the table where the men sat they looked up quickly at him.
ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
TomnounUS /tɑːm/
male cat
From this reading Tom and Ned finished their meal, and started to leave the restaurant.
tonesnounUS /toʊnz/
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading The strangers appeared to have heeded the caution of one of their number and were speaking in low tones.
TwonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two of them gave Tom but a passing glance, but one--he whom the young inventor had noticed in the post-office--stared long and intently.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As Mr. Swift's son passed the table where the men sat they looked up quickly at him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The strangers appeared to have heeded the caution of one of their number and were speaking in low tones.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading As Mr. Swift's son passed the table where the men sat they looked up quickly at him.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Two of them gave Tom but a passing glance, but one--he whom the young inventor had noticed in the post-office--stared long and intently.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading IN A SMASH-UP Though the young inventor listened intently, in an endeavor to hear the conversation of the men at the table behind him, all he could catch was an indistinct murmur.
