used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was bound, helpless, and a steel band encircled his head, and sharp spikes were probing his brain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading He was bound, helpless, and a steel band encircled his head, and sharp spikes were probing his brain.
barbarousadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːrbərəs/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He was being put to torture.
confined by bonds
From this reading He was bound, helpless, and a steel band encircled his head, and sharp spikes were probing his brain.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading He was bound, helpless, and a steel band encircled his head, and sharp spikes were probing his brain.
BRIGnounUS /brɪɡ/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
chantverbUS /tʃænt/
recite with musical intonation; recite as a chant or a psalm
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
rid of obstructions
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
clutchedverbUS /klʌtʃt/
past form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
Cohasset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
encircledadjectiveUS /ɪnˈsɜːrkəld/
confined on all sides
From this reading He was bound, helpless, and a steel band encircled his head, and sharp spikes were probing his brain.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
fiendishadjectiveUS /ˈfiːndɪʃ/
extremely evil or cruel; expressive of cruelty or befitting hell
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
friendlieradjectiveUS /ˈfrendliər/
comparative of “friendly” — characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
gibbering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
in a gradual manner
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
gropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was being put to torture.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He was bound, helpless, and a steel band encircled his head, and sharp spikes were probing his brain.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading He was bound, helpless, and a steel band encircled his head, and sharp spikes were probing his brain.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was bound, helpless, and a steel band encircled his head, and sharp spikes were probing his brain.
howlverbUS /haʊl/
emit long loud cries
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
hurtsnounUS /hɜːrts/
plural of “hurt” — any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
leeringadjective
showing sly or knowing malice in a glance
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
letupnounUS /ˈletʌp/
a pause during which things are calm or activities are diminished
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
musicaladjectiveUS /ˈmjuːzɪkəl/
characterized by or capable of producing music
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
nightmarenounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
a brief written record
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
outcrynounUS /ˈaʊtkraɪ/
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
probingadjectiveUS /ˈproʊbɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading He was bound, helpless, and a steel band encircled his head, and sharp spikes were probing his brain.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He was being put to torture.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
routenounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
screamedverbUS /skriːmd/
past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading He was bound, helpless, and a steel band encircled his head, and sharp spikes were probing his brain.
slant-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
softeradjectiveUS /ˈsɑːftər/
comparative of “soft” — yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
soothedverbUS /suːðd/
past form of “soothe” — give moral or emotional strength to
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
spikesnounUS /spaɪks/
plural of “spike” — a transient variation in voltage or current
From this reading He was bound, helpless, and a steel band encircled his head, and sharp spikes were probing his brain.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading He was bound, helpless, and a steel band encircled his head, and sharp spikes were probing his brain.
confined on all sides
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
tortureverbUS /ˈtɔːrtʃər/
torment emotionally or mentally
From this reading He was being put to torture.
torturersnounUS /ˈtɔːrtʃərərz/
plural of “torturer” — someone who inflicts severe physical pain (usually for punishment or coercion)
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
viaprepositionUS /ˈvaɪə/
by way of; passing through
From this reading THE MATE OF THE BRIG _Cohasset_ Martin returned to consciousness gradually, and _via_ the nightmare route.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was being put to torture.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was bound, helpless, and a steel band encircled his head, and sharp spikes were probing his brain.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
wovenadjectiveUS /ˈwoʊvən/
made or constructed by interlacing threads or strips of material or other elements into a whole
From this reading But mingled with, and woven into, that barbarous howl was a softer and friendlier note, at which his groping wits clutched eagerly; it was a clear, musical chant, and somehow, it soothed his hurts, and gave him courage to face his torturers.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading He was surrounded by gibbering and leering slant-eyed yellow faces; they screamed at him without letup, and his ears rang with their fiendish outcry.
