used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
Bomba
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But whether it was mortally or only slightly wounded he could not tell.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But whether it was mortally or only slightly wounded he could not tell.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading He held the revolver in readiness for a second shot, fearing every moment to see that dreadful head reappear.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He held the revolver in readiness for a second shot, fearing every moment to see that dreadful head reappear.
fearingverbUS /ˈfɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He held the revolver in readiness for a second shot, fearing every moment to see that dreadful head reappear.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He held the revolver in readiness for a second shot, fearing every moment to see that dreadful head reappear.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But whether it was mortally or only slightly wounded he could not tell.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He held the revolver in readiness for a second shot, fearing every moment to see that dreadful head reappear.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He held the revolver in readiness for a second shot, fearing every moment to see that dreadful head reappear.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
cause to move by striking
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He held the revolver in readiness for a second shot, fearing every moment to see that dreadful head reappear.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
a particular point in time
From this reading He held the revolver in readiness for a second shot, fearing every moment to see that dreadful head reappear.
mortallyadverbUS /ˈmɔːrtəli/
in such a manner that death ensues (also in reference to hatred, jealousy, fear, etc.)
From this reading But whether it was mortally or only slightly wounded he could not tell.
absolutely essential
From this reading But no second shot was necessary.
not any; not one
From this reading But no second shot was necessary.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But whether it was mortally or only slightly wounded he could not tell.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
and nothing more
From this reading But whether it was mortally or only slightly wounded he could not tell.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But whether it was mortally or only slightly wounded he could not tell.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading He held the revolver in readiness for a second shot, fearing every moment to see that dreadful head reappear.
reappearverbUS /ˌriːəˈpɪr/
appear again
From this reading He held the revolver in readiness for a second shot, fearing every moment to see that dreadful head reappear.
reptile's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading He held the revolver in readiness for a second shot, fearing every moment to see that dreadful head reappear.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He held the revolver in readiness for a second shot, fearing every moment to see that dreadful head reappear.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading He held the revolver in readiness for a second shot, fearing every moment to see that dreadful head reappear.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
SimultaneouslyadverbUS /ˌsaɪməlˈteɪniəsli/
at the same instant
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading But whether it was mortally or only slightly wounded he could not tell.
express in words
From this reading But whether it was mortally or only slightly wounded he could not tell.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
thrashingnounUS /ˈθræʃɪŋ/
a sound defeat
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
VOLCANO'SnounUS /vɑːlˈkeɪnoʊz/
possessive form of “volcano” — a fissure in the earth's crust (or in the surface of some other planet) through which molten lava and gases erupt
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a terrible thrashing about of the reptile’s body, and Bomba knew that it had been hit.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading But whether it was mortally or only slightly wounded he could not tell.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE VOLCANO’S ROAR Simultaneously with the crack of the revolver Bomba threw himself from the further side of the bed to the floor.
people who are wounded
From this reading But whether it was mortally or only slightly wounded he could not tell.
