used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading She had halted at a little distance, crouching against the front of a building.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading And while she had been crouching there, trembling with a new apprehension, her pursuer had caught her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And while she had been crouching there, trembling with a new apprehension, her pursuer had caught her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading She had halted at a little distance, crouching against the front of a building.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading And while she had been crouching there, trembling with a new apprehension, her pursuer had caught her.
concertedadjectiveUS /kənˈsɜːrtəd/
involving the joint activity of two or more
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading She had halted at a little distance, crouching against the front of a building.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
Deveny's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
disengagedverbUS /dɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/
past form of “disengage” — release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading She had halted at a little distance, crouching against the front of a building.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
fascinatedadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtəd/
having your attention fixated as though by a spell
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading She had halted at a little distance, crouching against the front of a building.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
gamblingnounUS /ˈɡæmbəlɪŋ/
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
in a gradual manner
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
hold firmly
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
grinnedverbUS /ɡrɪnd/
inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
Harlan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
impedeverbUS /ˌɪmˈpiːd/
be a hindrance or obstacle to
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
impended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
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 She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had halted at a little distance, crouching against the front of a building.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
the force of workers available
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading And while she had been crouching there, trembling with a new apprehension, her pursuer had caught her.
not any; not one
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
NotingverbUS /ˈnoʊtɪŋ/
-ing form of “note” — make mention of
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
objectionnounUS /əbˈdʒekʃən/
the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
pursuernounUS /pərˈsuːər/
a person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture
From this reading And while she had been crouching there, trembling with a new apprehension, her pursuer had caught her.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
rescuernounUS /ˈreskjuːər/
a person who rescues you from harm or danger
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
sheriff'snounUS /ˈʃerəfs/
possessive form of “sheriff” — the principal law-enforcement officer in a county
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
SINGLE-HANDEDadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəlˈhændɪd/
unsupported by other people
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
moving very fast
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And while she had been crouching there, trembling with a new apprehension, her pursuer had caught her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
tragedynounUS /ˈtrædʒədi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
a shaky motion
From this reading And while she had been crouching there, trembling with a new apprehension, her pursuer had caught her.
a source of difficulty
From this reading She made no objection, for she felt that further trouble impended, and she knew she must not impede any action her rescuer planned.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading SINGLE-HANDED Noting the concerted movement toward him, Harlan grinned at Barbara, gently disengaged himself from her grasp, and urged her toward the door of the sheriff's office.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading And while she had been crouching there, trembling with a new apprehension, her pursuer had caught her.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Reaching the street a few minutes before, she had noted the preparations for the swift tragedy that had followed; and despite her wild desire to escape Deveny's man, she had halted, fascinated by the spectacle presented by the two men, gambling with death.
