used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE RESULT OF A PRACTICAL JOKE.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
from appearances alone
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The helpless captive choked and strangled; the fire had begun to scorch his shins.
of short duration or distance
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
captivenounUS /ˈkæptɪv/
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading The helpless captive choked and strangled; the fire had begun to scorch his shins.
put or send forth
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
chargedadjectiveUS /tʃɑːrdʒd/
of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric charge
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
chokedadjectiveUS /tʃoʊkt/
stopped up; clogged up
From this reading The helpless captive choked and strangled; the fire had begun to scorch his shins.
circlingverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
clothing in general
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
cowboysnounUS /ˈkaʊbɔɪz/
plural of “cowboy” — a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
put on clothes
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The helpless captive choked and strangled; the fire had begun to scorch his shins.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
flittingverbUS /ˈflɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
garmentsnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənts/
plural of “garment” — an article of clothing
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The helpless captive choked and strangled; the fire had begun to scorch his shins.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading The helpless captive choked and strangled; the fire had begun to scorch his shins.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The helpless captive choked and strangled; the fire had begun to scorch his shins.
ill-fittingadjective
not the right size or shape
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading THE RESULT OF A PRACTICAL JOKE.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
maskedadjectiveUS /mæskt/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
newcomersnounUS /ˈnuːkʌmərz/
plural of “newcomer” — any new participant in some activity
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE RESULT OF A PRACTICAL JOKE.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
panicnounUS /ˈpænɪk/
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading THE RESULT OF A PRACTICAL JOKE.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/
something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
resistancenounUS /rɪˈzɪstəns/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading THE RESULT OF A PRACTICAL JOKE.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
savagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/
plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
scorchverbUS /skɔːrtʃ/
make very hot and dry
From this reading The helpless captive choked and strangled; the fire had begun to scorch his shins.
seemingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːmɪŋ/
appearing as such but not necessarily so
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
shins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The helpless captive choked and strangled; the fire had begun to scorch his shins.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
and nothing more
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
strangledadjectiveUS /ˈstræŋɡəld/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading The helpless captive choked and strangled; the fire had begun to scorch his shins.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RESULT OF A PRACTICAL JOKE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The helpless captive choked and strangled; the fire had begun to scorch his shins.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
which person or people
From this reading Suddenly, with a series of answering yells, half a dozen masked fellows charged forth from the darkness and fell upon the savages, who, in seeming panic, took to their heels and fled, after a brief show of resistance.
whoopsnounUS /wuːps/
plural of “whoop” — a loud hooting cry of exultation or excitement
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
wrongside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two or three of the newcomers had apparently made an effort to dress themselves like cowboys, while the remainder simply wore rough, ill-fitting clothes, or garments turned wrongside out.
yellsnounUS /jelz/
plural of “yell” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading The woods rang with their whoops and yells; their circling figures cast flitting, grotesque, fantastic shadows.
