used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Margaret was saying something, but he couldn’t hear a word.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The downpour and the noise of the engine were almost deafening.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The downpour and the noise of the engine were almost deafening.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
awashadjectiveUS /əˈwɑːʃ/
covered with water
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Margaret was saying something, but he couldn’t hear a word.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margaret was saying something, but he couldn’t hear a word.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
deafeningadjectiveUS /ˈdefənɪŋ/
loud enough to cause (temporary) hearing loss
From this reading The downpour and the noise of the engine were almost deafening.
downpournounUS /ˈdaʊnpɔːr/
a heavy rain
From this reading The downpour and the noise of the engine were almost deafening.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The downpour and the noise of the engine were almost deafening.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
gropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Margaret was saying something, but he couldn’t hear a word.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Margaret was saying something, but he couldn’t hear a word.
insecureadjectiveUS /ˈɪnsəkjər/
not firm or firmly fixed; likely to fail or give way
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
leversnounUS /ˈlevərz/
plural of “lever” — a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
set afire or burning
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margaret was saying something, but he couldn’t hear a word.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
miraclenounUS /ˈmɪrəkəl/
any amazing or wonderful occurrence
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
a particular point in time
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading The downpour and the noise of the engine were almost deafening.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The downpour and the noise of the engine were almost deafening.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
patchnounUS /pætʃ/
a small contrasting part of something
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
pedalsnounUS /ˈpedəlz/
plural of “pedal” — a sustained bass note
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
on the contrary
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/
without strain or anxiety
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
precisely, exactly
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
roaringnounUS /ˈrɔːrɪŋ/
a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading Margaret was saying something, but he couldn’t hear a word.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Margaret was saying something, but he couldn’t hear a word.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
steeringnounUS /ˈstɪrɪŋ/
the act of guiding or showing the way
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
switchesnounUS /ˈswɪtʃəz/
plural of “switch” — control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The downpour and the noise of the engine were almost deafening.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
a special situation
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
torrentnounUS /ˈtɔːrənt/
a heavy rain
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Margaret was saying something, but he couldn’t hear a word.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Suddenly he stopped the car and leaned back, relieved, relaxed, free for a moment from the task of steering a way through the roaring darkness.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The downpour and the noise of the engine were almost deafening.
at the time that
From this reading He had always felt insecure driving at night, staring out at a little lighted patch of road and groping for levers and switches, pressing pedals, had always been rather surprised when the right thing happened.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But to-night, on these twisting mountain roads, some of them already awash, with storm after storm bursting upon them and the whole night now one black torrent, every mile was a miracle.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Margaret was saying something, but he couldn’t hear a word.
