used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE WRECK What followed was like a terrible nightmare.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading There had been an accident--a terrible accident.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There had been an accident--a terrible accident.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading They heard Mr. Bradley shouting above the noise, asking if any one of them was hurt and reassuring them.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading They heard Mr. Bradley shouting above the noise, asking if any one of them was hurt and reassuring them.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been an accident--a terrible accident.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
BradleynounUS /ˈbrædli/
United States politician who was elected the first black mayor of Los Angeles (1917-1998)
From this reading They heard Mr. Bradley shouting above the noise, asking if any one of them was hurt and reassuring them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
dinnounUS /dɪn/
a loud harsh or strident noise
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading THE WRECK What followed was like a terrible nightmare.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
provoking horror
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
be the source of pain
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They heard Mr. Bradley shouting above the noise, asking if any one of them was hurt and reassuring them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
joltedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒoʊltɪd/
bumped or shaken jerkily
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading THE WRECK What followed was like a terrible nightmare.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
a form of address for a man
From this reading They heard Mr. Bradley shouting above the noise, asking if any one of them was hurt and reassuring them.
nightmarenounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading THE WRECK What followed was like a terrible nightmare.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading They heard Mr. Bradley shouting above the noise, asking if any one of them was hurt and reassuring them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They heard Mr. Bradley shouting above the noise, asking if any one of them was hurt and reassuring them.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They heard Mr. Bradley shouting above the noise, asking if any one of them was hurt and reassuring them.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
reassuringadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrɪŋ/
restoring confidence and relieving anxiety
From this reading They heard Mr. Bradley shouting above the noise, asking if any one of them was hurt and reassuring them.
in a serious manner
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
ShakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading They heard Mr. Bradley shouting above the noise, asking if any one of them was hurt and reassuring them.
strangledadjectiveUS /ˈstræŋɡəld/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading THE WRECK What followed was like a terrible nightmare.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WRECK What followed was like a terrible nightmare.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They heard Mr. Bradley shouting above the noise, asking if any one of them was hurt and reassuring them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been an accident--a terrible accident.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They heard Mr. Bradley shouting above the noise, asking if any one of them was hurt and reassuring them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Shaken and jolted badly, but not seriously hurt, it took the girls a horrible minute or two to realize what had happened.
uproarnounUS /ˈʌprɔːr/
a state of commotion and noise and confusion
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE WRECK What followed was like a terrible nightmare.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE WRECK What followed was like a terrible nightmare.
whispersnounUS /ˈwɪspərz/
plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading Then hands went out in the blackness and the girls called to each other in strangled whispers that could not be heard above the din and uproar outside.
WRECKnounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading THE WRECK What followed was like a terrible nightmare.
