used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
abettedverbUS /əˈbetɪd/
inflected form of “abet” — assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
aidedadjectiveUS /ˈeɪdəd/
having help; often used as a combining form
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It was always an unlucky day for him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was always an unlucky day for him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
arrestedverbUS /ərˈestɪd/
past form of “arrest” — take into custody
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
confidentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnfədənt/
having or marked by confidence or assurance
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course, he understood: she was sorry for him.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was always an unlucky day for him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
dismallyadverbUS /ˈdɪzməli/
in a cheerless manner
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was always an unlucky day for him.
FridaynounUS /ˈfraɪdi/
the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was always an unlucky day for him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
an instinctive motive
From this reading It was the impulse of the moment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was always an unlucky day for him.
jailnounUS /dʒeɪl/
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
minimiseverb
represent as less significant or important
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
a particular point in time
From this reading It was the impulse of the moment.
Nellie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of course, he understood: she was sorry for him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Of course, he understood: she was sorry for him.
slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading Of course, he understood: she was sorry for him.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
not in physical motion
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading Of course, he understood: she was sorry for him.
undignifiedadjectiveUS /ənˈdɪɡnɪfaɪd/
lacking dignity
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
unluckyadjectiveUS /ənˈlʌki/
having or bringing misfortune
From this reading It was always an unlucky day for him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE LAWYER He was dismally confident that he would be arrested and thrown into jail on Friday.
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading The fact that Nellie had aided and abetted in his undignified flight down the slippery back steps did not in the least minimise the peril that still hung like a cloud over his wretched head.
