used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The sword was sharp, the stroke fell like a lightning flash, and the head of the wicked Medusa tumbled from her body!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
arm'snounUS /ɑːrmz/
possessive form of “arm” — a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading But she awoke too late.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she awoke too late.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The sword was sharp, the stroke fell like a lightning flash, and the head of the wicked Medusa tumbled from her body!
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading The sword was sharp, the stroke fell like a lightning flash, and the head of the wicked Medusa tumbled from her body!
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
set up or found
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The sword was sharp, the stroke fell like a lightning flash, and the head of the wicked Medusa tumbled from her body!
Gorgon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
hoveringverbUS /ˈhʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
immediately past
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading But she awoke too late.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading The sword was sharp, the stroke fell like a lightning flash, and the head of the wicked Medusa tumbled from her body!
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The sword was sharp, the stroke fell like a lightning flash, and the head of the wicked Medusa tumbled from her body!
MedusanounUS /məˈduːsə/
(Greek mythology) a woman transformed into a Gorgon by Athena; she was slain by Perseus
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
Medusa's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
metallicadjectiveUS /məˈtælɪk/
containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
monsternounUS /ˈmɑːnstər/
an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
PerseusnounUS /ˈpɜːrsiəs/
(Greek mythology) the son of Zeus who slew Medusa (with the help of Athena and Hermes) and rescued Andromeda from a sea monster
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
Identical; not different.
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
act as a barrier between; stand between
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The sword was sharp, the stroke fell like a lightning flash, and the head of the wicked Medusa tumbled from her body!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But she awoke too late.
shieldnounUS /ʃiːld/
a protective covering or structure
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
snakenounUS /sneɪk/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
snakyadjective
resembling a serpent in form
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
not in physical motion
From this reading Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading The sword was sharp, the stroke fell like a lightning flash, and the head of the wicked Medusa tumbled from her body!
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
threateninglyadverbUS /ˈθretənɪŋli/
in a menacing manner
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading But she awoke too late.
tumbledverbUS /ˈtʌmbəld/
past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading The sword was sharp, the stroke fell like a lightning flash, and the head of the wicked Medusa tumbled from her body!
unclosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
upliftedadjectiveUS /ˈʌplɪftɪd/
exalted emotionally especially with pride
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
visagenounUS /ˈvɪzədʒ/
the human face (“kisser” and “smiler” and “mug” are informal terms for “face” and “phiz” is British)
From this reading The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sword was sharp, the stroke fell like a lightning flash, and the head of the wicked Medusa tumbled from her body!
at the time that
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading The sword was sharp, the stroke fell like a lightning flash, and the head of the wicked Medusa tumbled from her body!
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading At last, when he found himself hovering over her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while at the same instant each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateningly upward, and Medusa unclosed her eyes.
