used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
from one side of something to the other
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
anew
From this reading He shouted again, threw both his boots, and started off, with a leap, forthwith.
(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 then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
see with attention
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading He shouted again, threw both his boots, and started off, with a leap, forthwith.
the two together, not just one
From this reading He shouted again, threw both his boots, and started off, with a leap, forthwith.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading In a moment Mr. Fison realised that he was in danger.
deliberatelyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪbərətli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
Fison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a moment Mr. Fison realised that he was in danger.
forthwithadverbUS /ˈfɔːrˈθwɪθ/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading He shouted again, threw both his boots, and started off, with a leap, forthwith.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In a moment Mr. Fison realised that he was in danger.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He shouted again, threw both his boots, and started off, with a leap, forthwith.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a moment Mr. Fison realised that he was in danger.
judgingnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒɪŋ/
the cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
jumpingnounUS /ˈdʒʌmpɪŋ/
the act of participating in an athletic competition in which you must jump
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
and nothing more
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
leapnounUS /liːp/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading He shouted again, threw both his boots, and started off, with a leap, forthwith.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
a particular point in time
From this reading In a moment Mr. Fison realised that he was in danger.
in motion
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
a form of address for a man
From this reading In a moment Mr. Fison realised that he was in danger.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He shouted again, threw both his boots, and started off, with a leap, forthwith.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
pouringadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/
flowing profusely
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
purringverbUS /ˈpɜːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “purr” — make a soft swishing sound
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
realisedadjectiveUS /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading In a moment Mr. Fison realised that he was in danger.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
in a vehement outcry
From this reading He shouted again, threw both his boots, and started off, with a leap, forthwith.
slippingadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpɪŋ/
moving as on a slippery surface
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
having a supporting base
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He shouted again, threw both his boots, and started off, with a leap, forthwith.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
stridingverbUS /ˈstraɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “stride” — walk with long steps
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
tentaclesnounUS /ˈtentəkəlz/
plural of “tentacle” — something that acts like a tentacle in its ability to grasp and hold
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In a moment Mr. Fison realised that he was in danger.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading He shouted again, threw both his boots, and started off, with a leap, forthwith.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
in the direction of
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
uncoiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, slowly uncoiling their tentacles, they all began moving towards him—creeping at first deliberately, and making a soft, purring sound to each other.
unevenadjectiveUS /əˈniːvən/
not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
wadingnounUS /ˈweɪdɪŋ/
walking with your feet in shallow water
From this reading At that he shouted again, but this time not threatening, but a cry of dismay, and began jumping, striding, slipping, wading across the uneven expanse between him and the beach.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In a moment Mr. Fison realised that he was in danger.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
in the company of; together with
From this reading He shouted again, threw both his boots, and started off, with a leap, forthwith.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Twenty yards off he stopped and faced about, judging them slow, and, behold! the tentacles of their leader were already pouring over the rocky ridge on which he had just been standing!
