used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was a deeper bass note than usual that the Army Boys’ trained ears detected in an instant.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading There was a deeper bass note than usual that the Army Boys’ trained ears detected in an instant.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
asunderadjectiveUS /əˈsʌndər/
widely separated especially in space
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
bassnounUS /bæs/
the lowest part of the musical range
From this reading There was a deeper bass note than usual that the Army Boys’ trained ears detected in an instant.
bayonetsnounUS /ˈbeɪənets/
plural of “bayonet” — a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading There was a deeper bass note than usual that the Army Boys’ trained ears detected in an instant.
clicksnounUS /klɪks/
plural of “click” — a short light metallic sound
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading There was a deeper bass note than usual that the Army Boys’ trained ears detected in an instant.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading There was a deeper bass note than usual that the Army Boys’ trained ears detected in an instant.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading There was a deeper bass note than usual that the Army Boys’ trained ears detected in an instant.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading “In less than five minutes now!” muttered Tom.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
GRIPSnounUS /ɡrɪps/
plural of “grip” — the act of grasping
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading There was a deeper bass note than usual that the Army Boys’ trained ears detected in an instant.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading “In less than five minutes now!” muttered Tom.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading “In less than five minutes now!” muttered Tom.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading “In less than five minutes now!” muttered Tom.
navaladjectiveUS /ˈneɪvəl/
connected with or belonging to or used in a navy
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
a brief written record
From this reading There was a deeper bass note than usual that the Army Boys’ trained ears detected in an instant.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “In less than five minutes now!” muttered Tom.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
socketsnounUS /ˈsɑːkəts/
plural of “socket” — a bony hollow into which a structure fits
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
splitverbUS /splɪt/
separate into parts or portions
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “In less than five minutes now!” muttered Tom.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
in or at that place or location
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
male cat
From this reading “In less than five minutes now!” muttered Tom.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading There was a deeper bass note than usual that the Army Boys’ trained ears detected in an instant.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Suddenly the great American guns opened up with a roar that sounded as though the earth had split asunder.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading There was a deeper bass note than usual that the Army Boys’ trained ears detected in an instant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
we've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Those must be the naval guns we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Frank to Billy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AT GRIPS WITH DEATH There was a series of clicks as the bayonets slipped in their sockets.
