used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
(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 The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
using the voice; not silently
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
in addition
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading He's no business here?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
buttonsnounUS /ˈbʌtənz/
plural of “button” — a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
compliedverbUS /kəmˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “comply” — act in accordance with someone's rules, commands, or wishes
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
demandsnounUS /dɪˈmændz/
plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
one or the other of two
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
freshmennounUS /ˈfreʃmɪn/
plural of “freshman” — a first-year undergraduate
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Get out of this room!"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
He's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He's no business here?
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading He's no business here?
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
MottnounUS /mɑːt/
United States feminist and suffragist (1793-1880)
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
not any; not one
From this reading He's no business here?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
pushverbUS /pʊʃ/
move with force
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
any competition
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
savagelyadverbUS /ˈsævɪdʒli/
in a vicious manner
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
except for; apart from
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
sophomoresnounUS /ˈsɑːfmɔːrz/
plural of “sophomore” — a second-year undergraduate
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Get out of this room!"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
a just detectable amount
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A RACE IN THE DARKNESS Slowly and steadily the two freshmen began to push the collar buttons across the floor.
uncarpetedadjective
not carpeted
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
victimsnounUS /ˈvɪktəmz/
plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sophomores in the room were also serious, that is, all were save one, and, as he laughed aloud at the ridiculous aspect of their victims, Mott said savagely, "Put him out!
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The floor itself was uncarpeted and not particularly clean, and the position and actions of the two boys certainly did not add to their dignity; but there was not a trace of a smile to be seen on the face of either as they complied with the demands which had been made.
