used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was small and wiry, only a little over five feet in height, but strong and quick as a panther.
cocoanounUS /ˈkoʊkoʊ/
a beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
crookedadjectiveUS /ˈkrʊkəd/
having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
daggernounUS /ˈdæɡ.ər/
A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
drowsyadjectiveUS /ˈdraʊzi/
half asleep
From this reading The drowsy water front pulsed into sudden life.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading He was small and wiry, only a little over five feet in height, but strong and quick as a panther.
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
foamingadjectiveUS /ˈfoʊmɪŋ/
emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
frightfuladjectiveUS /ˈfraɪtfəl/
provoking horror
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The drowsy water front pulsed into sudden life.
glossyadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɔːsi/
based on pretense; deceptively pleasing
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading He was small and wiry, only a little over five feet in height, but strong and quick as a panther.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
the act of retaining something
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
insanitynounUS /ˌɪnˈsænəti/
relatively permanent disorder of the mind
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The drowsy water front pulsed into sudden life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The drowsy water front pulsed into sudden life.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
litheadjectiveUS /laɪð/
gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was small and wiry, only a little over five feet in height, but strong and quick as a panther.
luridadjectiveUS /ˈlʊrəd/
horrible in fierceness or savagery
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
and nothing more
From this reading He was small and wiry, only a little over five feet in height, but strong and quick as a panther.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was small and wiry, only a little over five feet in height, but strong and quick as a panther.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
panthernounUS /ˈpænθər/
a large spotted feline of tropical America similar to the leopard; in some classifications considered a member of the genus Felis
From this reading He was small and wiry, only a little over five feet in height, but strong and quick as a panther.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
pulsedverbUS /pʌlst/
past form of “pulse” — expand and contract rhythmically; beat rhythmically
From this reading The drowsy water front pulsed into sudden life.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading He was small and wiry, only a little over five feet in height, but strong and quick as a panther.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was small and wiry, only a little over five feet in height, but strong and quick as a panther.
snarlverbUS /snɑːrl/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
stainedadjectiveUS /steɪnd/
marked or dyed or discolored with foreign matter
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
stanchionnoun
any vertical post or rod used as a support
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
steamer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
streamedverbUS /striːmd/
past form of “stream” — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He was small and wiry, only a little over five feet in height, but strong and quick as a panther.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading The drowsy water front pulsed into sudden life.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The drowsy water front pulsed into sudden life.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The drowsy water front pulsed into sudden life.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
belonging to which person
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading His black hair, glossy with cocoa oil, streamed in the wind, his eyes were lurid with the wild light of insanity, his lips were parted in a savage snarl, and he was foaming at the mouth.
wiryadjectiveUS /ˈwɪri/
lean and sinewy
From this reading He was small and wiry, only a little over five feet in height, but strong and quick as a panther.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a frightful picture he presented, as he stood there, holding to a stanchion with one hand, while, in the other, he held a crooked dagger whose point was stained an ominous red.
yellsnounUS /jelz/
plural of “yell” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading There was a sound of running feet, of hoarse yells, a shriek of pain and terror as a knife bit into flesh, and a lithe, brown figure leaped upon the steamer's rail.
