used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
in actual fact
From this reading He is actually happy to get removed to a county jail where he can perhaps get rid of the vermin and wash his body.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It would not be true in nine cases out of any ten.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
bargainnounUS /ˈbɑːrɡən/
an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading He is actually happy to get removed to a county jail where he can perhaps get rid of the vermin and wash his body.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading It would not be true in nine cases out of any ten.
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
From this reading He is actually happy to get removed to a county jail where he can perhaps get rid of the vermin and wash his body.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
without deviation
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
a movement into or inward
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
foul-smellingadjective
offensively malodorous
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He is actually happy to get removed to a county jail where he can perhaps get rid of the vermin and wash his body.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading He is actually happy to get removed to a county jail where he can perhaps get rid of the vermin and wash his body.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He is actually happy to get removed to a county jail where he can perhaps get rid of the vermin and wash his body.
humiliateverbUS /hjuːˈmɪlieɪt/
cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
humiliatedadjectiveUS /hjuːˈmɪlieɪtɪd/
subdued or brought low in condition or status
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It would not be true in nine cases out of any ten.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would not be true in nine cases out of any ten.
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 He is actually happy to get removed to a county jail where he can perhaps get rid of the vermin and wash his body.
lousyadjectiveUS /ˈlaʊzi/
very bad
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading It would not be true in nine cases out of any ten.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It would not be true in nine cases out of any ten.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It would not be true in nine cases out of any ten.
penitentiaryadjectiveUS /ˌpenɪˈtentʃəri/
used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
by chance
From this reading He is actually happy to get removed to a county jail where he can perhaps get rid of the vermin and wash his body.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading He is actually happy to get removed to a county jail where he can perhaps get rid of the vermin and wash his body.
relieve from
From this reading He is actually happy to get removed to a county jail where he can perhaps get rid of the vermin and wash his body.
express in words
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
shockedadjectiveUS /ʃɑːkt/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
stunverbUS /stʌn/
make senseless or dizzy by or as if by a blow
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
stunnedadjectiveUS /stʌnd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading It would not be true in nine cases out of any ten.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It would not be true in nine cases out of any ten.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
verminnounUS /ˈvɜːrmɪn/
an irritating or obnoxious person
From this reading He is actually happy to get removed to a county jail where he can perhaps get rid of the vermin and wash his body.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
washverbUS /wɑːʃ/
clean with some chemical process
From this reading He is actually happy to get removed to a county jail where he can perhaps get rid of the vermin and wash his body.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It would be true if a man were picked up on the street and taken directly to a penitentiary, but that isn’t done.
in or at the place that
From this reading He is actually happy to get removed to a county jail where he can perhaps get rid of the vermin and wash his body.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading He is first thrown into a dirty, lousy, foul-smelling cell in some city prison, sometimes with an awful beating in the bargain, and after two or three days of that nothing in the world can shock, stun, or humiliate him.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To say I was shocked, stunned, or humiliated on entering the penitentiary would not be the truth.
