used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Adolescence is a perilous time--whether it is the adolescence of a man, or of the whole race of Man!
AdolescencenounUS /ˌædəˈlesəns/
the time period between the beginning of puberty and adulthood
From this reading Adolescence is a perilous time--whether it is the adolescence of a man, or of the whole race of Man!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He picked up a felt-covered block and erased the diagrams he had drawn on the blackboard.
annoyancenounUS /əˈnɔɪəns/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading When the blackboard was clean to the corners--Howard Dax was a very precise man--he turned around and saw that the particular pupil was still sitting at his desk.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
for the reason that
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
blackboardnounUS /ˈblækbɔːrd/
sheet of slate; for writing with chalk
From this reading He picked up a felt-covered block and erased the diagrams he had drawn on the blackboard.
blocknounUS /blɑːk/
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading He picked up a felt-covered block and erased the diagrams he had drawn on the blackboard.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
chalknounUS /tʃɔːk/
A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading The physics teacher, Howard Dax, dismissed the class.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading When the blackboard was clean to the corners--Howard Dax was a very precise man--he turned around and saw that the particular pupil was still sitting at his desk.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading When the blackboard was clean to the corners--Howard Dax was a very precise man--he turned around and saw that the particular pupil was still sitting at his desk.
Dax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The physics teacher, Howard Dax, dismissed the class.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading When the blackboard was clean to the corners--Howard Dax was a very precise man--he turned around and saw that the particular pupil was still sitting at his desk.
diagramsnounUS /ˈdaɪəɡræmz/
plural of “diagram” — a drawing intended to explain how something works; a drawing showing the relation between the parts
From this reading He picked up a felt-covered block and erased the diagrams he had drawn on the blackboard.
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading The physics teacher, Howard Dax, dismissed the class.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading He picked up a felt-covered block and erased the diagrams he had drawn on the blackboard.
erasedverbUS /ɪˈreɪst/
past form of “erase” — remove from memory or existence
From this reading He picked up a felt-covered block and erased the diagrams he had drawn on the blackboard.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
exasperationnounUS /ˌeksæspərˈeɪʃən/
an exasperated feeling of annoyance
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
felt-covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He picked up a felt-covered block and erased the diagrams he had drawn on the blackboard.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He picked up a felt-covered block and erased the diagrams he had drawn on the blackboard.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He picked up a felt-covered block and erased the diagrams he had drawn on the blackboard.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
HowardnounUS /ˈhaʊərd/
English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)
From this reading The physics teacher, Howard Dax, dismissed the class.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Adolescence is a perilous time--whether it is the adolescence of a man, or of the whole race of Man!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Adolescence is a perilous time--whether it is the adolescence of a man, or of the whole race of Man!
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Adolescence is a perilous time--whether it is the adolescence of a man, or of the whole race of Man!
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
being perceived or observed
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Adolescence is a perilous time--whether it is the adolescence of a man, or of the whole race of Man!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He picked up a felt-covered block and erased the diagrams he had drawn on the blackboard.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Adolescence is a perilous time--whether it is the adolescence of a man, or of the whole race of Man!
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
perilousadjectiveUS /ˈperələs/
fraught with danger
From this reading Adolescence is a perilous time--whether it is the adolescence of a man, or of the whole race of Man!
physicsnounUS /ˈfɪzɪks/
the science of matter and energy and their interactions
From this reading The physics teacher, Howard Dax, dismissed the class.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading He picked up a felt-covered block and erased the diagrams he had drawn on the blackboard.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
preciseadjectiveUS /prɪˈsaɪs/
sharply exact or accurate or delimited
From this reading When the blackboard was clean to the corners--Howard Dax was a very precise man--he turned around and saw that the particular pupil was still sitting at his desk.
pupilnounUS /ˈpjuːpəl/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
pupilsnounUS /ˈpjuːpəlz/
plural of “pupil” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
any competition
From this reading Adolescence is a perilous time--whether it is the adolescence of a man, or of the whole race of Man!
cut with a saw
From this reading When the blackboard was clean to the corners--Howard Dax was a very precise man--he turned around and saw that the particular pupil was still sitting at his desk.
shakyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪki/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading When the blackboard was clean to the corners--Howard Dax was a very precise man--he turned around and saw that the particular pupil was still sitting at his desk.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
not in physical motion
From this reading When the blackboard was clean to the corners--Howard Dax was a very precise man--he turned around and saw that the particular pupil was still sitting at his desk.
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading The physics teacher, Howard Dax, dismissed the class.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Adolescence is a perilous time--whether it is the adolescence of a man, or of the whole race of Man!
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Adolescence is a perilous time--whether it is the adolescence of a man, or of the whole race of Man!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the blackboard was clean to the corners--Howard Dax was a very precise man--he turned around and saw that the particular pupil was still sitting at his desk.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading When the blackboard was clean to the corners--Howard Dax was a very precise man--he turned around and saw that the particular pupil was still sitting at his desk.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He picked up a felt-covered block and erased the diagrams he had drawn on the blackboard.
precisely as stated
From this reading When the blackboard was clean to the corners--Howard Dax was a very precise man--he turned around and saw that the particular pupil was still sitting at his desk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
at the time that
From this reading When the blackboard was clean to the corners--Howard Dax was a very precise man--he turned around and saw that the particular pupil was still sitting at his desk.
in or at the place that
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Adolescence is a perilous time--whether it is the adolescence of a man, or of the whole race of Man!
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Adolescence is a perilous time--whether it is the adolescence of a man, or of the whole race of Man!
in the company of; together with
From this reading He noticed with annoyance that the lines were shaky, and in one place was an irregular star where the chalk had broken because of his exasperation at his pupils--or more exactly, one particular pupil.
