used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Miriam's accusation came on Barton like a bolt from the blue.
accusationnounUS /ˌækjəˈzeɪʃən/
a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt
From this reading Miriam's accusation came on Barton like a bolt from the blue.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
make certain of
From this reading A very brief survey of the existing circumstances sufficed to assure him that the power to coerce her was his.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
Barton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miriam's accusation came on Barton like a bolt from the blue.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Miriam's accusation came on Barton like a bolt from the blue.
boltnounUS /boʊlt/
a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading Miriam's accusation came on Barton like a bolt from the blue.
of short duration or distance
From this reading A very brief survey of the existing circumstances sufficed to assure him that the power to coerce her was his.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Miriam's accusation came on Barton like a bolt from the blue.
CastingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading A very brief survey of the existing circumstances sufficed to assure him that the power to coerce her was his.
coerceverbUS /koʊˈɜːrs/
to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means
From this reading A very brief survey of the existing circumstances sufficed to assure him that the power to coerce her was his.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
defiedverbUS /dɪˈfaɪd/
inflected form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
any strong feeling
From this reading For a moment he seemed utterly incapable of speech--while of emotion he showed not a trace.
existingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɪstɪŋ/
presently existing
From this reading A very brief survey of the existing circumstances sufficed to assure him that the power to coerce her was his.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment he seemed utterly incapable of speech--while of emotion he showed not a trace.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Miriam's accusation came on Barton like a bolt from the blue.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a moment he seemed utterly incapable of speech--while of emotion he showed not a trace.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
incapableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/
(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability
From this reading For a moment he seemed utterly incapable of speech--while of emotion he showed not a trace.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Miriam's accusation came on Barton like a bolt from the blue.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
Miriam's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miriam's accusation came on Barton like a bolt from the blue.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment he seemed utterly incapable of speech--while of emotion he showed not a trace.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For a moment he seemed utterly incapable of speech--while of emotion he showed not a trace.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For a moment he seemed utterly incapable of speech--while of emotion he showed not a trace.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Miriam's accusation came on Barton like a bolt from the blue.
on one occasion
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading A very brief survey of the existing circumstances sufficed to assure him that the power to coerce her was his.
with speed
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For a moment he seemed utterly incapable of speech--while of emotion he showed not a trace.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading For a moment he seemed utterly incapable of speech--while of emotion he showed not a trace.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading For a moment he seemed utterly incapable of speech--while of emotion he showed not a trace.
sufficedverbUS /səˈfaɪst/
past form of “suffice” — be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
From this reading A very brief survey of the existing circumstances sufficed to assure him that the power to coerce her was his.
surveynounUS /sərˈveɪ/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading A very brief survey of the existing circumstances sufficed to assure him that the power to coerce her was his.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A very brief survey of the existing circumstances sufficed to assure him that the power to coerce her was his.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Miriam's accusation came on Barton like a bolt from the blue.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A very brief survey of the existing circumstances sufficed to assure him that the power to coerce her was his.
a just detectable amount
From this reading For a moment he seemed utterly incapable of speech--while of emotion he showed not a trace.
UNMASKEDverbUS /ənˈmæskt/
past form of “unmask” — reveal the true nature of
From this reading UNMASKED.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading For a moment he seemed utterly incapable of speech--while of emotion he showed not a trace.
precisely as stated
From this reading A very brief survey of the existing circumstances sufficed to assure him that the power to coerce her was his.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A very brief survey of the existing circumstances sufficed to assure him that the power to coerce her was his.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For a moment he seemed utterly incapable of speech--while of emotion he showed not a trace.
which person or people
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Casting a terrible look on the woman who at once defied and threatened him, he rapidly counted his chances against her.
