used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The two lads were almost in a panic.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The iron bolts were bent under their frenzied onslaughts, and the stifling smoke became thicker.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The iron bolts were bent under their frenzied onslaughts, and the stifling smoke became thicker.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading The iron bolts were bent under their frenzied onslaughts, and the stifling smoke became thicker.
boltsnounUS /boʊlts/
plural of “bolt” — a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading The iron bolts were bent under their frenzied onslaughts, and the stifling smoke became thicker.
terminate
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading The ominous sounds of bursting shell grew louder and more frequent.
CHANGESnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
frenziedadjectiveUS /ˈfrenzid/
affected with or marked by frenzy or mania uncontrolled by reason
From this reading The iron bolts were bent under their frenzied onslaughts, and the stifling smoke became thicker.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading The ominous sounds of bursting shell grew louder and more frequent.
brought together in one place
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The ominous sounds of bursting shell grew louder and more frequent.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The two lads were almost in a panic.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading The iron bolts were bent under their frenzied onslaughts, and the stifling smoke became thicker.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading The two lads were almost in a panic.
louderadjectiveUS /ˈlaʊdər/
comparative of “loud” — characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading The ominous sounds of bursting shell grew louder and more frequent.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The ominous sounds of bursting shell grew louder and more frequent.
O'Neil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The ominous sounds of bursting shell grew louder and more frequent.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading The ominous sounds of bursting shell grew louder and more frequent.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
onslaughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The iron bolts were bent under their frenzied onslaughts, and the stifling smoke became thicker.
panicnounUS /ˈpænɪk/
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading The two lads were almost in a panic.
plightnounUS /plaɪt/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/
restored to a new condition
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
resistingverbUS /rɪˈzɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “resist” — elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading The ominous sounds of bursting shell grew louder and more frequent.
shellingnounUS /ˈʃelɪŋ/
the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading The iron bolts were bent under their frenzied onslaughts, and the stifling smoke became thicker.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The ominous sounds of bursting shell grew louder and more frequent.
the season of growth
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
spurredverbUS /spɜːrd/
inflected form of “spur” — incite or stimulate
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
stiflingnounUS /ˈstaɪflɪŋ/
forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority
From this reading The iron bolts were bent under their frenzied onslaughts, and the stifling smoke became thicker.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
thickeradjectiveUS /ˈθɪkər/
comparative of “thick” — not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading The iron bolts were bent under their frenzied onslaughts, and the stifling smoke became thicker.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SCENE CHANGES Their terrible plight spurred them on to renewed efforts to break down the heavy door.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two lads were almost in a panic.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The iron bolts were bent under their frenzied onslaughts, and the stifling smoke became thicker.
precisely as stated
From this reading “They are shelling this very building,” exclaimed O’Neil, as he gathered himself for a spring at the resisting oak.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The iron bolts were bent under their frenzied onslaughts, and the stifling smoke became thicker.
