used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
(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 That was all I wanted.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
bangverbUS /bæŋ/
strike violently
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
barsnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
buttonnounUS /ˈbʌtən/
a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
crushedadjectiveUS /krʌʃt/
treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
apart from; not including
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
fetchingadjectiveUS /ˈfetʃɪŋ/
very attractive; capturing interest
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
the act of departing
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
joltnounUS /dʒoʊlt/
a sudden jarring impact
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
momentarilyadverbUS /ˌmoʊmənˈterəli/
for an instant or moment
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
neighbourhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
opponent'snounUS /əˈpoʊnənts/
possessive form of “opponent” — a contestant that you are matched against
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
punchverbUS /pʌntʃ/
deliver a quick blow to
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
railingsnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋz/
plural of “railing” — a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
right-arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
slackenedverbUS /ˈslækənd/
past form of “slacken” — become slow or slower
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
smashedadjectiveUS /smæʃt/
very drunk
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
in or at or to some place
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading By a stroke of luck I must have crushed my opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain he momentarily slackened his grip.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
waistcoatnoun
a man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading That was all I wanted.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strength saved me from going over.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As it was I staggered back a couple of paces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearly knocked the breath out of me.
WrenchingadjectiveUS /ˈrentʃɪŋ/
causing great physical or mental suffering
From this reading Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up my elbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he could recover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landed somewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button.
