used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading These people certainly had given him of their best.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
a youthful male person
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But at length other thoughts came, which were of a less distressing character.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But at length other thoughts came, which were of a less distressing character.
CaptivenounUS /ˈkæptɪv/
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading _The worn-out Captive.--Light Slumbers.--Fearful Wakening.--The stealthy Step.--The overmastering.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading These people certainly had given him of their best.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading But at length other thoughts came, which were of a less distressing character.
confrontedverbUS /kənˈfrʌntəd/
past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
distressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstresɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
an opposing military force
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading _The worn-out Captive.--Light Slumbers.--Fearful Wakening.--The stealthy Step.--The overmastering.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading These people certainly had given him of their best.
depressingly dark
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading These people certainly had given him of their best.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
intense and profound fear
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
impossibilitynounUS /ˌɪmpɔːsɪˈbɪlɪti/
incapability of existing or occurring
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading But at length other thoughts came, which were of a less distressing character.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading But at length other thoughts came, which were of a less distressing character.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading _The worn-out Captive.--Light Slumbers.--Fearful Wakening.--The stealthy Step.--The overmastering.
loneadjectiveUS /loʊn/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
a particular point in time
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
NightmarenounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
on one occasion
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
and nothing more
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading But at length other thoughts came, which were of a less distressing character.
OvercameverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “overcome” — win a victory over
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
overmastering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The worn-out Captive.--Light Slumbers.--Fearful Wakening.--The stealthy Step.--The overmastering.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading These people certainly had given him of their best.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
ransomnounUS /ˈrænsəm/
money demanded for the return of a captured person
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
revertedverbUS /rɪˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “revert” — go back to a previous state
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
Slumbers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The worn-out Captive.--Light Slumbers.--Fearful Wakening.--The stealthy Step.--The overmastering.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading _The worn-out Captive.--Light Slumbers.--Fearful Wakening.--The stealthy Step.--The overmastering.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading _The worn-out Captive.--Light Slumbers.--Fearful Wakening.--The stealthy Step.--The overmastering.
supremeadjectiveUS /səˈpriːm/
final or last in your life or progress
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _The worn-out Captive.--Light Slumbers.--Fearful Wakening.--The stealthy Step.--The overmastering.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading These people certainly had given him of their best.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These people certainly had given him of their best.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
Wakeningnoun
the act of waking
From this reading _The worn-out Captive.--Light Slumbers.--Fearful Wakening.--The stealthy Step.--The overmastering.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading His mind once more reverted to the idea that he was held for ransom, and that for the present, at least, he was in safety; and not only so, but well cared for.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But at length other thoughts came, which were of a less distressing character.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Horror.--The lone Boy confronted by his Enemy.--The hungry Eyes.--Is it real, or a Nightmare?--The supreme Moment._ The darkness of the night and the impossibility of escape filled Bob with the most gloomy and distressing thoughts, which at first quite Overcame him.
worn-outadjective
used until no longer useful
From this reading _The worn-out Captive.--Light Slumbers.--Fearful Wakening.--The stealthy Step.--The overmastering.
