used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
adornedadjectiveUS /əˈdɔːrnd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
anew
From this reading Again Sheriff Kowen gave a signal, and one of the men opened the door at the end of the hall.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Again Sheriff Kowen gave a signal, and one of the men opened the door at the end of the hall.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
behalfnounUS /bɪˈhæf/
as the agent of or on someone's part (usually expressed as “on behalf of” rather than “in behalf of”)
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
bombsnounUS /bɑːmz/
plural of “bomb” — an explosive device fused to explode under specific conditions
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
clashnounUS /klæʃ/
A violent confrontation or disagreement between opposing forces or factions.
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
combatnounUS /ˈkɑːmbæt/
an engagement fought between two military forces
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
criminalsnounUS /ˈkrɪmənəlz/
plural of “criminal” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
deputiesnounUS /ˈdepjətiz/
plural of “deputy” — someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
characterized by great determination
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Again Sheriff Kowen gave a signal, and one of the men opened the door at the end of the hall.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Again Sheriff Kowen gave a signal, and one of the men opened the door at the end of the hall.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
a social unit living together
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
set up or found
From this reading WHAT KOWEN FOUND No volley greeted them.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Again Sheriff Kowen gave a signal, and one of the men opened the door at the end of the hall.
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading WHAT KOWEN FOUND No volley greeted them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
KOWEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT KOWEN FOUND No volley greeted them.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
come together
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
the force of workers available
From this reading Again Sheriff Kowen gave a signal, and one of the men opened the door at the end of the hall.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
moderateverbUS /ˈmɑːdərət/
preside over
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
not any; not one
From this reading WHAT KOWEN FOUND No volley greeted them.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Again Sheriff Kowen gave a signal, and one of the men opened the door at the end of the hall.
and nothing more
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Again Sheriff Kowen gave a signal, and one of the men opened the door at the end of the hall.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
pungentadjectiveUS /ˈpʌndʒənt/
strong and sharp
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
sheriffnounUS /ˈʃerəf/
the principal law-enforcement officer in a county
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading Again Sheriff Kowen gave a signal, and one of the men opened the door at the end of the hall.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
sprawledverbUS /sprɔːld/
past form of “sprawl” — sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading WHAT KOWEN FOUND No volley greeted them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They entered an ordinary living room that was adorned with cheap furniture; it might have been the living room of the home of a family in moderate circumstances.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
hard to endure
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
unexplainedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspleɪnd/
not explained
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
vapornounUS /ˈveɪpər/
a visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
volleynounUS /ˈvɑːli/
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
From this reading WHAT KOWEN FOUND No volley greeted them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT KOWEN FOUND No volley greeted them.
which person or people
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was nothing but silence--a silence broken only by the deep breathing of the sheriff and his deputies, who had sprawled into that hall expecting to meet with instant battle, and to whom the unexplained silence was more trying than combat.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was no crash of vapor bombs, no cloud of pungent gas, no clash with desperate and determined criminals who fought on behalf of their leader and master!
