used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He could hear the slight rattle of the door, and the faint shuffle of the intruder’s moccasined feet.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading Momentarily, he awaited the crash that would follow the man’s efforts to break in.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
terminate
From this reading Momentarily, he awaited the crash that would follow the man’s efforts to break in.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading Momentarily, he awaited the crash that would follow the man’s efforts to break in.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading The rifle lay like a dead weight in Dick’s hands.
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
someone who is a detective
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
Dick'snounUS /dɪks/
possessive form of “dick” — someone who is a detective
From this reading The rifle lay like a dead weight in Dick’s hands.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Momentarily, he awaited the crash that would follow the man’s efforts to break in.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
divisible by two
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
FactornounUS /ˈfæktər/
anything that contributes causally to a result
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading He could hear the slight rattle of the door, and the faint shuffle of the intruder’s moccasined feet.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He could hear the slight rattle of the door, and the faint shuffle of the intruder’s moccasined feet.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Momentarily, he awaited the crash that would follow the man’s efforts to break in.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The rifle lay like a dead weight in Dick’s hands.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading He could hear the slight rattle of the door, and the faint shuffle of the intruder’s moccasined feet.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
intruder's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could hear the slight rattle of the door, and the faint shuffle of the intruder’s moccasined feet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
KentnounUS /kent/
a county in southeastern England on the English Channel; formerly an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, it was the first to be colonized by the Romans
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The rifle lay like a dead weight in Dick’s hands.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The rifle lay like a dead weight in Dick’s hands.
MacClaren's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Momentarily, he awaited the crash that would follow the man’s efforts to break in.
moccasined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could hear the slight rattle of the door, and the faint shuffle of the intruder’s moccasined feet.
MomentarilyadverbUS /ˌmoʊmənˈterəli/
for an instant or moment
From this reading Momentarily, he awaited the crash that would follow the man’s efforts to break in.
not any; not one
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
point-blankadjective
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading He could hear the slight rattle of the door, and the faint shuffle of the intruder’s moccasined feet.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
shuffleverbUS /ˈʃʌfəl/
walk by dragging one's feet
From this reading He could hear the slight rattle of the door, and the faint shuffle of the intruder’s moccasined feet.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading He could hear the slight rattle of the door, and the faint shuffle of the intruder’s moccasined feet.
not in physical motion
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The figure of the man still crouched before Factor MacClaren’s door but Dick, rifle in hand, felt that under no circumstances could he bring himself to fire point-blank at the shadowy form, even if the entire success of their expedition depended upon it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the breathless interval that followed, Dick Kent was unable to decide upon a definite course of action.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading The rifle lay like a dead weight in Dick’s hands.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Momentarily, he awaited the crash that would follow the man’s efforts to break in.
