used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BEATING A GOOD MAN Trevison had not moved.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had known that the first conflict had been an unfinished thing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
animositynounUS /ˌænəˈmɑːsəti/
a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
backedadjectiveUS /bækt/
having a back or backing, usually of a specified type
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading BEATING A GOOD MAN Trevison had not moved.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
bulknounUS /bʌlk/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
chordnounUS /kɔːrd/
a straight line connecting two points on a curve
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
clashnounUS /klæʃ/
A violent confrontation or disagreement between opposing forces or factions.
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
conflictnounUS /ˈkɑːnflɪkt/
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
From this reading He had known that the first conflict had been an unfinished thing.
Corrigan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
Corrigan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
derisiveadjectiveUS /dərˈɪsɪv/
abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
disposeverbUS /dɪˈspoʊz/
give, sell, or transfer to another
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
opinion or judgment
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
start firing a weapon
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
glancesnounUS /ˈɡlænsɪz/
plural of “glance” — a quick look
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
glowedverbUS /ɡloʊd/
past form of “glow” — emit a steady even light without flames
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading BEATING A GOOD MAN Trevison had not moved.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BEATING A GOOD MAN Trevison had not moved.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading He had known that the first conflict had been an unfinished thing.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
litheadjectiveUS /laɪð/
gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading BEATING A GOOD MAN Trevison had not moved.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
motionsnounUS /ˈmoʊʃənz/
plural of “motion” — the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading BEATING A GOOD MAN Trevison had not moved.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
musclesnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading BEATING A GOOD MAN Trevison had not moved.
notingverbUS /ˈnoʊtɪŋ/
-ing form of “note” — make mention of
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
the act of departing politely
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
participate in games or sport
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
successive (without a break)
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
a special situation
From this reading He had known that the first conflict had been an unfinished thing.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
Trevison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BEATING A GOOD MAN Trevison had not moved.
Trevison's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
twanged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
unfinishedadjectiveUS /ənˈfɪnɪʃt/
not brought to the desired final state
From this reading He had known that the first conflict had been an unfinished thing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The other's manner toward him had twanged the chord of animosity that had been between them since the first exchange of glances, and he was as eager as Corrigan for the clash that must now come.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading He had watched the movements of the other closely, noting his huge bulk, his lithe motions, the play of his muscles as he backed across the room to dispose of the pistol.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
the words that are spoken
From this reading At Corrigan's words though, Trevison's eyes glowed with a sudden fire, his teeth gleamed, his straight lips parting in a derisive smile.
