used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading INTO THE MORNING I saw a smile of greeting change into a grimace of stupefied dismay.
(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 This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I stood horrified at what I had done.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
blurtedverbUS /ˈblɜːrtɪd/
past form of “blurt” — utter impulsively
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
Captain'snounUS /ˈkæptənz/
possessive form of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading INTO THE MORNING I saw a smile of greeting change into a grimace of stupefied dismay.
clawsnounUS /klɔːz/
plural of “claw” — sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
deviltrynoun
wicked and cruel behavior
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading INTO THE MORNING I saw a smile of greeting change into a grimace of stupefied dismay.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading I stood horrified at what I had done.
enragedadjectiveUS /enˈreɪdʒd/
marked by extreme anger
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
ferociousadjectiveUS /fərˈoʊʃəs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
glaringlyadverb
in a glaring manner
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading INTO THE MORNING I saw a smile of greeting change into a grimace of stupefied dismay.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
grimaceverbUS /ˈɡrɪməs/
contort the face to indicate a certain mental or emotional state
From this reading INTO THE MORNING I saw a smile of greeting change into a grimace of stupefied dismay.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
half-closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
horrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːrəfaɪd/
stricken with horror
From this reading I stood horrified at what I had done.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading INTO THE MORNING I saw a smile of greeting change into a grimace of stupefied dismay.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
INTOprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading INTO THE MORNING I saw a smile of greeting change into a grimace of stupefied dismay.
and nothing more
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
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 This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
lidsnounUS /lɪdz/
plural of “lid” — either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
lifelongadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪˈflɔːŋ/
continuing through life
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
madnessnounUS /ˈmædnəs/
obsolete terms for legal insanity
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
menaceverbUS /ˈmenəs/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading INTO THE MORNING I saw a smile of greeting change into a grimace of stupefied dismay.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading INTO THE MORNING I saw a smile of greeting change into a grimace of stupefied dismay.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
past form of “rouse” — become active
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
cut with a saw
From this reading INTO THE MORNING I saw a smile of greeting change into a grimace of stupefied dismay.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading INTO THE MORNING I saw a smile of greeting change into a grimace of stupefied dismay.
smugglersnounUS /ˈsmʌɡlərz/
plural of “smuggler” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
socketsnounUS /ˈsɑːkəts/
plural of “socket” — a bony hollow into which a structure fits
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
stiffenedverbUS /ˈstɪfənd/
past form of “stiffen” — become stiff or stiffer
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading I stood horrified at what I had done.
stupefiedadjective
as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise
From this reading INTO THE MORNING I saw a smile of greeting change into a grimace of stupefied dismay.
swelledadjectiveUS /sweld/
feeling self-importance
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading INTO THE MORNING I saw a smile of greeting change into a grimace of stupefied dismay.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading His head sank below his shoulders; his hands curled and stiffened like the claws of an enraged beast; his eyes at first swelled glaringly from their sockets, then sank back beneath the half-closed lids in a terrible scrutiny of menace.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This dismay on the Captain's face grew into an expression of savage cunning, and I knew that all the deviltry of his lifelong madness was roused to a ferocious passion.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I stood horrified at what I had done.
at the time that
From this reading My mind went back to the morning when in the kitchen just beneath us I had blurted out, "The smugglers!"
