used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
anew
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading She no longer leaned limp and nerveless against the support of the doorway.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She no longer leaned limp and nerveless against the support of the doorway.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the older banker staggered back she was quick to reach the motionless figure and to lift its head to her breast.
availverbUS /əˈveɪl/
use to one's advantage
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading As the older banker staggered back she was quick to reach the motionless figure and to lift its head to her breast.
bankernounUS /ˈbæŋkər/
a financier who owns or is an executive in a bank
From this reading As the older banker staggered back she was quick to reach the motionless figure and to lift its head to her breast.
blanchedadjective
anemic looking from illness or emotion
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
BurtonnounUS /ˈbɜːrtən/
English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
cordsnounUS /kɔːrdz/
cotton trousers made of corduroy cloth
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading She no longer leaned limp and nerveless against the support of the doorway.
drownedverbUS /draʊnd/
past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
echoesnounUS /ˈekoʊz/
plural of “echo” — the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
fatefuladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtfəl/
having momentous consequences; of decisive importance
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading As the older banker staggered back she was quick to reach the motionless figure and to lift its head to her breast.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading As the older banker staggered back she was quick to reach the motionless figure and to lift its head to her breast.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As the older banker staggered back she was quick to reach the motionless figure and to lift its head to her breast.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading She no longer leaned limp and nerveless against the support of the doorway.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading As the older banker staggered back she was quick to reach the motionless figure and to lift its head to her breast.
limpverbUS /lɪmp/
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading She no longer leaned limp and nerveless against the support of the doorway.
for more time
From this reading She no longer leaned limp and nerveless against the support of the doorway.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
moaningly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
not in physical motion
From this reading As the older banker staggered back she was quick to reach the motionless figure and to lift its head to her breast.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
musclenounUS /ˈmʌsəl/
one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
nervelessadjective
marked by calm self-control (especially in trying circumstances); unemotional
From this reading She no longer leaned limp and nerveless against the support of the doorway.
not any; not one
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading As the older banker staggered back she was quick to reach the motionless figure and to lift its head to her breast.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
outcrynounUS /ˈaʊtkraɪ/
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
paralysisnounUS /pərˈæləsəs/
loss of the ability to move a body part
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
piteousadjective
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading As the older banker staggered back she was quick to reach the motionless figure and to lift its head to her breast.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading As the older banker staggered back she was quick to reach the motionless figure and to lift its head to her breast.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
screamverbUS /skriːm/
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She no longer leaned limp and nerveless against the support of the doorway.
snapverbUS /snæp/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
express in speech
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading As the older banker staggered back she was quick to reach the motionless figure and to lift its head to her breast.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading She no longer leaned limp and nerveless against the support of the doorway.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
unquestionableadjectiveUS /ənˈkwestʃənəbəl/
incapable of being questioned
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After the low scream that came moaningly up from her breast, which was drowned in the echoes of the report, Mary Burton made no outcry.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Something had seemed to snap the cords of her paralysis and out of her blanched face her eyes stared wide and piteous.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet she did not really have to look, something fateful and unquestionable told her from the first instant that no human aid could avail--and that he would not speak again or move a muscle in life.
