used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is a depressing law of life that worries invariably hunt in packs.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
AngoranounUS /æŋˈɡɔːrə/
the capital of Turkey; located in west-central Turkey; it was formerly known as Angora and is the home of Angora goats
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
annoyancenounUS /əˈnɔɪəns/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
barkedverbUS /bɑːrkt/
past form of “bark” — speak in an unfriendly tone
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
exhale hard
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
an occurrence of something
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
depressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈpresɪŋ/
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading It is a depressing law of life that worries invariably hunt in packs.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
Donald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
an act that fails
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
a boy or man
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
frightenverbUS /ˈfraɪtən/
cause fear in
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
destroyed or killed
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
HeightsnounUS /haɪts/
a high place
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
hordenounUS /hɔːrd/
a vast multitude
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)
From this reading It is a depressing law of life that worries invariably hunt in packs.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is a depressing law of life that worries invariably hunt in packs.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
invariablyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbli/
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading It is a depressing law of life that worries invariably hunt in packs.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is a depressing law of life that worries invariably hunt in packs.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is a depressing law of life that worries invariably hunt in packs.
and nothing more
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
the sound of laughing
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading It is a depressing law of life that worries invariably hunt in packs.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It is a depressing law of life that worries invariably hunt in packs.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
march in a procession
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
MorleynounUS /ˈmɔːrli/
United States chemist and physicist who collaborated with Michelson in the Michelson-Morley experiment (1838-1923)
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is a depressing law of life that worries invariably hunt in packs.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
and nothing more
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
pacingnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/
(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
arrange in a container
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
packsnounUS /pæks/
plural of “pack” — a large indefinite number
From this reading It is a depressing law of life that worries invariably hunt in packs.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
pursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
ravenousadjectiveUS /ˈrævənəs/
extremely hungry
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
relyverbUS /rɪˈlaɪ/
have faith or confidence in
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
not in physical motion
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is a depressing law of life that worries invariably hunt in packs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
the act of testing something
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Donald Morley, pacing the terrace at Angora Heights on a certain dark night in March, felt the breath of the pursuing pack close upon him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
at the time that
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
which person or people
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading The failure to win his case had been a serious blow not only to his pride, but to his faith in his fellow man.
in the company of; together with
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
worriesnounUS /ˈwɜːriz/
plural of “worry” — something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
From this reading It is a depressing law of life that worries invariably hunt in packs.
yelpingnounUS /ˈjelpɪŋ/
a sharp high-pitched cry (especially by a dog)
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He had gone into the trial with the assured confidence of an innocent man who is still young enough to rely absolutely upon the justice of the law.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If it were just a matter of one yelping little annoyance that barked at your heels, you could frighten it away with a laugh; but when a ravenous horde gets on your trail with the grim determination of running you to earth, it is quite a different matter.
