used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
Akshelah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
bearingsnounUS /ˈberɪŋz/
plural of “bearing” — relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
the act of breaking something
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
confuseverbUS /kənˈfjuːz/
mistake one thing for another
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
power to direct or determine
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
defiancenounUS /dɪˈfaɪəns/
intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
fittingadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪŋ/
in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
floatverbUS /floʊt/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
moving swiftly
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
the act of giving
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
glintverbUS /ɡlɪnt/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
learntverbUS /lɜːrnt/
inflected form of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
a unit of instruction
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
and nothing more
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
become covered with mist
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
a particular point in time
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
not in physical motion
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
participate in games or sport
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
move upward
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
startlinglyadverbUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋliː/
in a startling manner
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
move an implement through
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
