Chapter III · Chapter 3

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He said to himself, "She does not know they are here.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He knew at once that they were not to be treated just as if they were ordinary persons.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He knew at once that they were not to be treated just as if they were ordinary persons.

for the reason that

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

past form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading It was rather because the cook went on untangling the kite, just as if nothing had happened.

the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He said to himself, "She does not know they are here.

come together

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading It was rather because the cook went on untangling the kite, just as if nothing had happened.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading He said to himself, "She does not know they are here.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He said to himself, "She does not know they are here.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

and nothing more

From this reading He knew at once that they were not to be treated just as if they were ordinary persons.

a bank check that has been fraudulently altered to increase its face value

From this reading It was rather because the cook went on untangling the kite, just as if nothing had happened.

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 He knew at once that they were not to be treated just as if they were ordinary persons.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He said to himself, "She does not know they are here.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

of an obscure nature

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He knew at once that they were not to be treated just as if they were ordinary persons.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading It was rather because the cook went on untangling the kite, just as if nothing had happened.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was rather because the cook went on untangling the kite, just as if nothing had happened.

on one occasion

From this reading He knew at once that they were not to be treated just as if they were ordinary persons.

and nothing more

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading He knew at once that they were not to be treated just as if they were ordinary persons.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

on the contrary

From this reading It was rather because the cook went on untangling the kite, just as if nothing had happened.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He said to himself, "She does not know they are here.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He said to himself, "She does not know they are here.

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

in or at that place or location

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent

From this reading He knew at once that they were not to be treated just as if they were ordinary persons.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

the act of releasing from a snarled or tangled condition

From this reading It was rather because the cook went on untangling the kite, just as if nothing had happened.

get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

precisely as stated

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading It was rather because the cook went on untangling the kite, just as if nothing had happened.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He knew at once that they were not to be treated just as if they were ordinary persons.

in the company of; together with

From this reading EVERYCHILD'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE GIANT He was almost afraid to look at the two strange persons, because their being there seemed very mysterious, and he had the thought that if he looked at them steadily they might vanish.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading It was not only that they had come into the room without making any noise, or that there had been that burst of music, or that the light had brightened.