used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
(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 feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sun had disappeared, and the blaze in the western sky seemed weird and unnatural.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
blanklyadverbUS /ˈblæŋkli/
in a blank and uncomprehending manner
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading The sun had disappeared, and the blaze in the western sky seemed weird and unnatural.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading The sun had disappeared, and the blaze in the western sky seemed weird and unnatural.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
not any; not one
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading THE SEARCH.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The sun had disappeared, and the blaze in the western sky seemed weird and unnatural.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The sun had disappeared, and the blaze in the western sky seemed weird and unnatural.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun had disappeared, and the blaze in the western sky seemed weird and unnatural.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SEARCH.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
a special situation
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
unnaturaladjectiveUS /ənˈnætʃərəl/
not in accordance with or determined by nature; contrary to nature
From this reading The sun had disappeared, and the blaze in the western sky seemed weird and unnatural.
utterancenounUS /ˈʌtərəns/
the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading The sun had disappeared, and the blaze in the western sky seemed weird and unnatural.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The silence that rested over the river was so intense that it almost seemed as if they could hear it, if such a thing were possible.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading The sun had disappeared, and the blaze in the western sky seemed weird and unnatural.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the boys was reflected in the dusk which now had settled over all.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading For a moment the boys looked blankly at one another, but no one seemed willing to give utterance to the fear which evidently possessed them all.
