used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
(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 Moreover, all three formed an instant suspicion of the identity of the man.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
exhale hard
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
BrushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
an occurrence of something
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
an opposing military force
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
Felix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
footfalls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading Moreover, all three formed an instant suspicion of the identity of the man.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
furtiveadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːrtɪv/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
glancesnounUS /ˈɡlænsɪz/
plural of “glance” — a quick look
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
identitynounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/
the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
From this reading Moreover, all three formed an instant suspicion of the identity of the man.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
indistinctlyadverb
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Moreover, all three formed an instant suspicion of the identity of the man.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Moreover, all three formed an instant suspicion of the identity of the man.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Moreover, all three formed an instant suspicion of the identity of the man.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
recognizeverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/
accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
rodsnounUS /rɑːdz/
plural of “rod” — a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
Identical; not different.
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
cut with a saw
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
situationsnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “situation” — the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading Moreover, all three formed an instant suspicion of the identity of the man.
moving very fast
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
carry out
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Moreover, all three formed an instant suspicion of the identity of the man.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
treacherousadjectiveUS /ˈtretʃərəs/
dangerously unstable and unpredictable
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
hard to endure
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading A CLOSE CALL Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against which it is impossible to guard.
which person or people
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself.
