used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FACING THE BULLY There was silence in the room for a minute or two.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I don’t get in any more boats unless they’re as dry as a bone.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
avertedverbUS /əˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “avert” — prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading I don’t get in any more boats unless they’re as dry as a bone.”
bonenounUS /boʊn/
rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates
From this reading I don’t get in any more boats unless they’re as dry as a bone.”
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
the act of breaking something
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
BULLYnounUS /ˈbʊli/
a cruel and brutal fellow
From this reading FACING THE BULLY There was silence in the room for a minute or two.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
darky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don’t get in any more boats unless they’re as dry as a bone.”
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading I don’t get in any more boats unless they’re as dry as a bone.”
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
FACINGnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading FACING THE BULLY There was silence in the room for a minute or two.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FACING THE BULLY There was silence in the room for a minute or two.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading I don’t get in any more boats unless they’re as dry as a bone.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
hangedverbUS /hæŋd/
past form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I don’t get in any more boats unless they’re as dry as a bone.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FACING THE BULLY There was silence in the room for a minute or two.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
a unit of instruction
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading FACING THE BULLY There was silence in the room for a minute or two.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I don’t get in any more boats unless they’re as dry as a bone.”
narrowlyadverbUS /ˈneroʊli/
in a narrow manner; not allowing for exceptions
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
nearnessnoun
the spatial property resulting from a relatively small distance
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading FACING THE BULLY There was silence in the room for a minute or two.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading FACING THE BULLY There was silence in the room for a minute or two.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
rustlingnounUS /ˈrʌslɪŋ/
the stealing of cattle
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
sensedadjectiveUS /senst/
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
shudderverbUS /ˈʃʌdər/
shake, as from cold
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading FACING THE BULLY There was silence in the room for a minute or two.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
swelledadjectiveUS /sweld/
feeling self-importance
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
thankfulnessnounUS /ˈθæŋkfəlnes/
warm friendly feelings of gratitude
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FACING THE BULLY There was silence in the room for a minute or two.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
in or at that place or location
From this reading FACING THE BULLY There was silence in the room for a minute or two.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
they're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don’t get in any more boats unless they’re as dry as a bone.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading FACING THE BULLY There was silence in the room for a minute or two.
except if; if not
From this reading I don’t get in any more boats unless they’re as dry as a bone.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FACING THE BULLY There was silence in the room for a minute or two.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The boys all sensed the nearness of the tragedy that had been so narrowly averted, and each had an inward shudder as he thought of what might have been.
at the time that
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
WilsonnounUS /ˈwɪlsən/
author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)
From this reading “Well,” remarked Wilson, breaking the silence, “this will be a lesson to me, as the darky said when he was about to be hanged.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But though the death angel had passed so close that they had almost heard the rustling of his wings, here they were after all alive and safe, and their spirits rose while their hearts swelled with thankfulness.
