used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
couplingnounUS /ˈkʌplɪŋ/
a connection (like a clamp or vise) between two things so they move together
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
dilapidatedadjectiveUS /dəˈlæpədeɪtɪd/
in deplorable condition
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading They recalled now the significant fact that it had been empty save for themselves.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading They recalled now the significant fact that it had been empty save for themselves.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They recalled now the significant fact that it had been empty save for themselves.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
inspectionnounUS /ˌɪnˈspekʃən/
a formal or official examination
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
intentionaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtenʃənəl/
characterized by conscious design or purpose
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They recalled now the significant fact that it had been empty save for themselves.
immediately past
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
a form of address for a man
From this reading THE SHADOW OF MR.
not any; not one
From this reading They had no other surmise.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They recalled now the significant fact that it had been empty save for themselves.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SHADOW OF MR.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They had no other surmise.
by chance
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading They recalled now the significant fact that it had been empty save for themselves.
except for; apart from
From this reading They recalled now the significant fact that it had been empty save for themselves.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading THE SHADOW OF MR.
significantadjectiveUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
important in effect or meaning
From this reading They recalled now the significant fact that it had been empty save for themselves.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
suppositionnounUS /ˌsʌpəˈzɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
surmiseverbUS /sərˈmaɪz/
infer from incomplete evidence
From this reading They had no other surmise.
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SHADOW OF MR.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They recalled now the significant fact that it had been empty save for themselves.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They recalled now the significant fact that it had been empty save for themselves.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading It was a dilapidated old car and it seemed likely that it had been left there perhaps to be used as a temporary station.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
Westy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
WILDEnounUS /waɪld/
Irish writer and wit (1854-1900)
From this reading WILDE Westy’s first supposition was that the coupling had given way, but an inspection of this by the three boys convinced them that the dropping of this last car had been intentional.
