used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The normal sleep-sounds of a very tired boy.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading From his hammock came the deep, regular inhalation, exhalation, with an occasional grunt or sigh.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
for the reason that
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
a youthful male person
From this reading The normal sleep-sounds of a very tired boy.
uttered without voice
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading From his hammock came the deep, regular inhalation, exhalation, with an occasional grunt or sigh.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading From his hammock came the deep, regular inhalation, exhalation, with an occasional grunt or sigh.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
exhalationnounUS /ˌekshəˈleɪʃən/
exhaled breath
From this reading From his hammock came the deep, regular inhalation, exhalation, with an occasional grunt or sigh.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From his hammock came the deep, regular inhalation, exhalation, with an occasional grunt or sigh.
gruntnounUS /ɡrʌnt/
the short low gruff noise of the kind made by hogs
From this reading From his hammock came the deep, regular inhalation, exhalation, with an occasional grunt or sigh.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
hammocknounUS /ˈhæmək/
a small natural hill
From this reading From his hammock came the deep, regular inhalation, exhalation, with an occasional grunt or sigh.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
inhalationnounUS /ɪnəˈleɪʃən/
the act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing
From this reading From his hammock came the deep, regular inhalation, exhalation, with an occasional grunt or sigh.
irritationnounUS /ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
and nothing more
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
a particular point in time
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading Nerves.
normaladjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrməl/
conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal
From this reading The normal sleep-sounds of a very tired boy.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading From his hammock came the deep, regular inhalation, exhalation, with an occasional grunt or sigh.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
on one occasion
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
pouncedverbUS /paʊnst/
past form of “pounce” — move down on as if in an attack
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading From his hammock came the deep, regular inhalation, exhalation, with an occasional grunt or sigh.
relaxationnounUS /ˌriːlækˈseɪʃən/
(physiology) the gradual lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
relieveverbUS /rɪˈliːv/
provide physical relief, as from pain
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading From his hammock came the deep, regular inhalation, exhalation, with an occasional grunt or sigh.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
sleep-sounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The normal sleep-sounds of a very tired boy.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading The normal sleep-sounds of a very tired boy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
two times
From this reading He breathed deeply himself, once or twice, because it seemed, somehow to relieve his feeling of irritation.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
unguardedadjectiveUS /ənˈɡɑːrdɪd/
lacking protection or a guard
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
precisely as stated
From this reading The normal sleep-sounds of a very tired boy.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading And in that unguarded moment of unconscious relaxation Sleep, that had been lying in wait for him just around the corner, pounced on him and claimed him for its own.
in the company of; together with
From this reading From his hammock came the deep, regular inhalation, exhalation, with an occasional grunt or sigh.
