used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Suddenly a noise in front of them awakened their failing hopes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
attractverbUS /əˈtrækt/
direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading Suddenly a noise in front of them awakened their failing hopes.
batedadjectiveUS /ˈbeɪtɪd/
diminished or moderated
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
conjecturenounUS /kənˈdʒektʃər/
a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading THE DEFENSE The lads dared not move.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
DEFENSEnounUS /dɪˈfens/
(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
From this reading THE DEFENSE The lads dared not move.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
divisible by two
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading Suddenly a noise in front of them awakened their failing hopes.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Suddenly a noise in front of them awakened their failing hopes.
glimmernounUS /ˈɡlɪmər/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Suddenly a noise in front of them awakened their failing hopes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
inkyadjectiveUS /ˈɪŋki/
of the color of black ink
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading THE DEFENSE The lads dared not move.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE DEFENSE The lads dared not move.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Suddenly a noise in front of them awakened their failing hopes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE DEFENSE The lads dared not move.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
O'Neil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
and nothing more
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
overpoweredverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈpaʊərd/
past form of “overpower” — overcome by superior force
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
penetrateverbUS /ˈpenətreɪt/
pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly a noise in front of them awakened their failing hopes.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DEFENSE The lads dared not move.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Suddenly a noise in front of them awakened their failing hopes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what.
