used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
audibleadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəbəl/
heard or perceptible by the ear
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
aroused or activated
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
blindlyadverbUS /ˈblaɪndli/
without seeing or looking
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
breathlesslyadverbUS /ˈbreθləsli/
in a breathless manner
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
carsnounUS /kɑːrz/
plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
chirpings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
cityward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
clamorverbUS /ˈklæmər/
make loud demands
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
cricketnounUS /ˈkrɪkət/
leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
eavesnounUS /iːvz/
the overhang at the lower edge of a roof
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
elevatedadjectiveUS /ˈeləveɪtɪd/
raised above the ground
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
embankmentnounUS /emˈbæŋkmənt/
a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
freightnounUS /freɪt/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
fumbledverbUS /ˈfʌmbəld/
past form of “fumble” — feel about uncertainly or blindly
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
a social unit living together
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
a search for knowledge
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
insistentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstənt/
repetitive and persistent
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
and nothing more
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
lazilyadverbUS /ˈlæzəli/
in a slow and lazy manner
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
loadnounUS /loʊd/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
and nothing more
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
OverprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
parentaladjectiveUS /pərˈentəl/
designating the generation of organisms from which hybrid offspring are produced
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
poundingnounUS /ˈpaʊndɪŋ/
repeated heavy blows
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
puffedadjectiveUS /pʌft/
gathered for protruding fullness
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
rumbledverbUS /ˈrʌmbəld/
past form of “rumble” — make a low noise
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
sleepilyadverbUS /ˈsliːpəli/
in a sleepy manner
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
in or at or to some place
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
somnolentlyadverb
in a drowsy manner
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
sparrowsnounUS /ˈsperoʊz/
plural of “sparrow” — any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
squabbledverbUS /ˈskwɑːbəld/
past form of “squabble” — argue over petty things
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
terminalnounUS /ˈtɜːrmənəl/
station where transport vehicles load or unload passengers or goods
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
throttleverbUS /ˈθrɑːtəl/
place limits on (extent or amount or access)
From this reading Startled from a sound sleep, he fumbled blindly beneath the bed that he might throttle the insistent alarm clock before the clamor awakened the other members of the household.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
in the direction of
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
tracksnounUS /træks/
plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
create by training and teaching
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Over the elevated tracks a mile to the south, a train rumbled somnolently towards the park terminal, and under the eaves of the house, just above his room, two sparrows squabbled sleepily.
unearthlyadjectiveUS /əˈnɜːrθli/
concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Inside, the only audible sounds were the chirpings of a cricket somewhere down the hall, and the furious, muffled pounding of his own little heart.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Then he lay back and listened breathlessly for parental voices of inquiry as to what he might be doing at the unearthly hour of half-past three on a late September morning.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Far down the railroad embankment which passed the rear of the house, an engine puffed lazily cityward with a load of empty freight cars.
