used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
assailantsnounUS /əˈseɪlənts/
plural of “assailant” — someone who attacks
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
attackersnounUS /əˈtækərz/
plural of “attacker” — someone who attacks
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
barrelsnounUS /ˈbærəlz/
the amount that many barrels might hold
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
lacking funds
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
chargedadjectiveUS /tʃɑːrdʒd/
of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric charge
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
clubbingnounUS /ˈklʌbɪŋ/
a condition in which the ends of toes and fingers become wide and thick; a symptom of heart or lung disease
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
clubsnounUS /klʌbz/
plural of “club” — a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
crashingadjectiveUS /ˈkræʃɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
fistsnounUS /fɪsts/
plural of “fist” — a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
GrippingadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
heatedadjectiveUS /ˈhiːtəd/
made warm or hot (“het” is a dialectal variant of “heated”)
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
kidnappersnounUS /ˈkɪdnæpərz/
plural of “kidnapper” — someone who unlawfully seizes and detains a victim (usually for ransom)
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
the force of workers available
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
Osceola
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
pandemoniumnounUS /ˌpændɪˈmoʊniəm/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
revolversnounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvərz/
plural of “revolver” — a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
rockingverbUS /ˈrɑːkɪŋ/
-ing form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
screamedverbUS /skriːmd/
past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
scrimmagenounUS /ˈskrɪmɪdʒ/
(American football) practice play between a football team's squads
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
singlesticknoun
a stick used instead of a sword for fencing
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
the season of growth
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But after the first few shots, attackers and attacked became involved in a scrimmage so close and so heated that firing was impossible.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She screamed, the four men jumped to their feet, sending chairs crashing backward to the floor, the table rocking—and pandemonium broke loose.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
a special situation
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
wardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
which person or people
From this reading Gripping their rifles by the barrels and swinging them like clubs, the lads charged the surprised kidnappers, who pulled revolvers and began shooting almost immediately.
wieldingverbUS /ˈwiːldɪŋ/
-ing form of “wield” — have and exercise
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Bill, wielding his rifle like a singlestick, managed to ward off the clubbing revolvers of his assailants, but Osceola, dropping his gun, went at them like a wild man, using fists alone.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A NEAR THING The woman at the breakfast table was the first in the room to see Bill and Osceola spring through the open window.
