used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading It was very quiet in Dalton’s cabin.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
coalsnounUS /koʊlz/
plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
DaltonnounUS /ˈdɔːltən/
English chemist and physicist who formulated atomic theory and the law of partial pressures; gave the first description of red-green color blindness (1766-1844)
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
Dalton'snounUS /ˈdɔːltənz/
possessive form of “dalton” — English chemist and physicist who formulated atomic theory and the law of partial pressures; gave the first description of red-green color blindness (1766-1844)
From this reading It was very quiet in Dalton’s cabin.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
someone who is a detective
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/
plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
Farley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
firelightnoun
the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
set up or found
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
hunchedadjectiveUS /hʌntʃt/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was very quiet in Dalton’s cabin.
interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was very quiet in Dalton’s cabin.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
knottedadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːtɪd/
tied with a knot
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
not any; not one
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading It was very quiet in Dalton’s cabin.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
having a supporting base
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
not in physical motion
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
a special situation
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Dalton sat hunched forward in his chair—his elbows on his knees, his big hands knotted together, his eyes on the coals scattered across the stone hearth.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Now and then he turned his head a little and looked sharply over his shoulder into the darkness outside as if he feared interruption.
uncertainlyadverbUS /ənˈsɜːrtənli/
in an unsteady manner
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was very quiet in Dalton’s cabin.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was very quiet in Dalton’s cabin.
waveringnounUS /ˈweɪvərɪŋ/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
Wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Near the door, standing erect, his eyes upon the still figure, his whole attitude that of a man waiting, was Dick Farley.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Were it not for the figures which the flickering firelight found out uncertainly, casting their grotesque wavering shadows upon the floor and wall, one would have said that there was no living thing there.
