used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
alarmsnounUS /əˈlɑːrmz/
plural of “alarm” — fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
(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 And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
ash-tray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
athletenounUS /ˈæθliːt/
a person trained to compete in sports
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
being joined in close association
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
balancedadjectiveUS /ˈbælənst/
being in a state of proper equilibrium
From this reading He balanced it in his hand for a moment.
formed or made thin by hammering
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading There was a smashing of glass and then, an instant later, the turning off of light and a plunge into blackness.
burglarnounUS /ˈbɝː.ɡlɚ/
A person who commits illegal entry into a building with intent to steal valuable treasures.
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
coppernounUS /ˈkɑːpər/
a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
Denby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
electricaladjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪkəl/
relating to or concerned with electricity
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
the organ of sight
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He balanced it in his hand for a moment.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading There was a smashing of glass and then, an instant later, the turning off of light and a plunge into blackness.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He balanced it in his hand for a moment.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He balanced it in his hand for a moment.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He balanced it in his hand for a moment.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
hurledverbUS /hɜːrld/
past form of “hurl” — throw forcefully
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He balanced it in his hand for a moment.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading There was a smashing of glass and then, an instant later, the turning off of light and a plunge into blackness.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There was a smashing of glass and then, an instant later, the turning off of light and a plunge into blackness.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He balanced it in his hand for a moment.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading There was a smashing of glass and then, an instant later, the turning off of light and a plunge into blackness.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading There was a smashing of glass and then, an instant later, the turning off of light and a plunge into blackness.
match-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
a particular point in time
From this reading He balanced it in his hand for a moment.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
newlyadverbUS /ˈnuːli/
very recently
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There was a smashing of glass and then, an instant later, the turning off of light and a plunge into blackness.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
the local environment
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
patentverbUS /ˈpætənt/
obtain a patent for
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
pealnounUS /piːl/
a deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
plungeverbUS /plʌndʒ/
thrust or throw into
From this reading There was a smashing of glass and then, an instant later, the turning off of light and a plunge into blackness.
practisedadjectiveUS /ˈpræktɪst/
skillful after much practice
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
smashingnounUS /ˈsmæʃɪŋ/
the act of breaking something into small pieces
From this reading There was a smashing of glass and then, an instant later, the turning off of light and a plunge into blackness.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
make steady
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
successive (without a break)
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
TaylornounUS /ˈteɪlər/
United States composer and music critic (1885-1966)
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “Not a bad idea is it?” he demanded smiling; and then, before Taylor could reach for it had hurled it with the strong arm and practised eye of an athlete straight at the patent burglar alarm a few feet distant.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a smashing of glass and then, an instant later, the turning off of light and a plunge into blackness.
thrashedverbUS /θræʃt/
past form of “thrash” — give a thrashing to; beat hard
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading There was a smashing of glass and then, an instant later, the turning off of light and a plunge into blackness.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a smashing of glass and then, an instant later, the turning off of light and a plunge into blackness.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading And in the gloom, during which Taylor thrashed about him wildly, there came from all parts of the house the steady peal of the electrical alarms newly set in motion.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
writing-desk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Denby moved over to the writing-desk and picked up a heavy beaten copper ash-tray with match-box attached.
