used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading "Wer da?" shouted a guttural voice from the window of the house across the canal.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Immediately after came the "pluff" of an air-gun being discharged, and a pellet thudded against a post on the tow-path.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Immediately after came the "pluff" of an air-gun being discharged, and a pellet thudded against a post on the tow-path.
air-gun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after came the "pluff" of an air-gun being discharged, and a pellet thudded against a post on the tow-path.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Immediately after came the "pluff" of an air-gun being discharged, and a pellet thudded against a post on the tow-path.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
apprehensionsnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃənz/
plural of “apprehension” — fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Immediately after came the "pluff" of an air-gun being discharged, and a pellet thudded against a post on the tow-path.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Immediately after came the "pluff" of an air-gun being discharged, and a pellet thudded against a post on the tow-path.
canalnounUS /kəˈnæl/
(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
From this reading "Wer da?" shouted a guttural voice from the window of the house across the canal.
Carr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could hear Peter shifting his position, ready to join in the imminent struggle.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
danounUS /dɑː/
an official prosecutor for a judicial district
From this reading "Wer da?" shouted a guttural voice from the window of the house across the canal.
debatedverbUS /dəˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “debate” — argue with one another
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
dischargedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒd/
having lost your job
From this reading Immediately after came the "pluff" of an air-gun being discharged, and a pellet thudded against a post on the tow-path.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
flattenedadjectiveUS /ˈflætənd/
having been flattened
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
FrontiernounUS /frənˈtɪr/
a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
gutturaladjectiveUS /ˈɡʌtərəl/
like the sounds of frogs and crows
From this reading "Wer da?" shouted a guttural voice from the window of the house across the canal.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading He could hear Peter shifting his position, ready to join in the imminent struggle.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading "Wer da?" shouted a guttural voice from the window of the house across the canal.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Immediately after came the "pluff" of an air-gun being discharged, and a pellet thudded against a post on the tow-path.
imminentadjectiveUS /ˈɪmənənt/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading He could hear Peter shifting his position, ready to join in the imminent struggle.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading He could hear Peter shifting his position, ready to join in the imminent struggle.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
Malcolm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
the force of workers available
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
pelletnounUS /ˈpelət/
a small sphere
From this reading Immediately after came the "pluff" of an air-gun being discharged, and a pellet thudded against a post on the tow-path.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading He could hear Peter shifting his position, ready to join in the imminent struggle.
pluff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after came the "pluff" of an air-gun being discharged, and a pellet thudded against a post on the tow-path.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading He could hear Peter shifting his position, ready to join in the imminent struggle.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading Immediately after came the "pluff" of an air-gun being discharged, and a pellet thudded against a post on the tow-path.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
with speed
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He could hear Peter shifting his position, ready to join in the imminent struggle.
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
regainverbUS /rɪˈɡeɪn/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading He could hear Peter shifting his position, ready to join in the imminent struggle.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading "Wer da?" shouted a guttural voice from the window of the house across the canal.
not in physical motion
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading He could hear Peter shifting his position, ready to join in the imminent struggle.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
propel through the air
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
thudded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after came the "pluff" of an air-gun being discharged, and a pellet thudded against a post on the tow-path.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
tow-path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after came the "pluff" of an air-gun being discharged, and a pellet thudded against a post on the tow-path.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
unevenadjectiveUS /əˈniːvən/
not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
unnoticedadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊtɪst/
not noticed
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Wer da?" shouted a guttural voice from the window of the house across the canal.
Wer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Wer da?" shouted a guttural voice from the window of the house across the canal.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
wildestadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪldɪst/
superlative of “wild” — marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading At the Frontier A prey to the wildest apprehensions, Malcolm Carr flattened himself on his hard, uneven bed.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading "Wer da?" shouted a guttural voice from the window of the house across the canal.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Rapidly he debated as to his course of action; whether to regain his feet and throw himself upon the two men before they had time to recover from their surprise, or to keep perfectly still in the hope that he would be unnoticed.
