used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That night, Marietje van Saetzema had a dream which was like a nightmare.
abyssnounUS /əˈbɪs/
a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
Addie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
(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 After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Her first impulse was to get up and run out of the room for help, to Aunt Constance, to Addie.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
clammyadjectiveUS /ˈklæmi/
unpleasantly cool and humid
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
ConstancenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəns/
a lake in southeastern Germany on the northern side of the Swiss Alps; forms part of the Rhine River
From this reading Her first impulse was to get up and run out of the room for help, to Aunt Constance, to Addie.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
deliriousadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪriəs/
experiencing delirium
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading That night, Marietje van Saetzema had a dream which was like a nightmare.
echoingadjectiveUS /ˈekoʊɪŋ/
(of sounds) repeating by reflection
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
Erzeele
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
fiercelyadverbUS /ˈfɪrsli/
in a physically fierce manner
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Her first impulse was to get up and run out of the room for help, to Aunt Constance, to Addie.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her first impulse was to get up and run out of the room for help, to Aunt Constance, to Addie.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
Gerdy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Her first impulse was to get up and run out of the room for help, to Aunt Constance, to Addie.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That night, Marietje van Saetzema had a dream which was like a nightmare.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Her first impulse was to get up and run out of the room for help, to Aunt Constance, to Addie.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
an instinctive motive
From this reading Her first impulse was to get up and run out of the room for help, to Aunt Constance, to Addie.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
located inward
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
Johan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
immediately past
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading That night, Marietje van Saetzema had a dream which was like a nightmare.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
Marietje
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night, Marietje van Saetzema had a dream which was like a nightmare.
Mathilde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading That night, Marietje van Saetzema had a dream which was like a nightmare.
nightmarenounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading That night, Marietje van Saetzema had a dream which was like a nightmare.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Her first impulse was to get up and run out of the room for help, to Aunt Constance, to Addie.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
quiveringnounUS /ˈkwɪvərɪŋ/
a shaky motion
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Her first impulse was to get up and run out of the room for help, to Aunt Constance, to Addie.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Her first impulse was to get up and run out of the room for help, to Aunt Constance, to Addie.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
done under pressure
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
Saetzema
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night, Marietje van Saetzema had a dream which was like a nightmare.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
screamsnounUS /skriːmz/
plural of “scream” — sharp piercing cry
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
slopingadjectiveUS /ˈsloʊpɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That night, Marietje van Saetzema had a dream which was like a nightmare.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading That night, Marietje van Saetzema had a dream which was like a nightmare.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That night, Marietje van Saetzema had a dream which was like a nightmare.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That night, Marietje van Saetzema had a dream which was like a nightmare.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
which person or people
From this reading After Mathilde, Johan Erzeele came rushing and, last of all, Gerdy; and before any one of them reached the other, Marietje, who was running in front, plunged into the deep abyss; and they all plunged after her.
wide-eyedadjective
exhibiting childlike simplicity and credulity
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The echoing fall, in the black depths, made Marietje wake with a start to find the darkness of her bedroom quivering all around her, the strange inner darkness of the night; and she was cold and clammy and sat up wide-eyed, while the wind blew fiercely outside.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was running down a sloping mountain, deep as an abyss; she rushed and rushed and Addie came rushing after her and Mathilde after Addie, rushing with delirious screams.
