used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
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 Her head jerked instinctively from the comfort of his arm.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
next to; at the side of
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
blanketnounUS /ˈblæŋkət/
bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
botheredadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːðərd/
caused to show discomposure
From this reading “So that’s why you bothered me so!” she cried, her voice muffled by her fingers.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “So that’s why you bothered me so!” she cried, her voice muffled by her fingers.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Her head jerked instinctively from the comfort of his arm.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “So that’s why you bothered me so!” she cried, her voice muffled by her fingers.
cupped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading “You’re a detective!
any strong feeling
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading “So that’s why you bothered me so!” she cried, her voice muffled by her fingers.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Her head jerked instinctively from the comfort of his arm.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Her head jerked instinctively from the comfort of his arm.
heart-stopping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Her head jerked instinctively from the comfort of his arm.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading Her head jerked instinctively from the comfort of his arm.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
jerkedverbUS /dʒɜːrkt/
past form of “jerk” — pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading Her head jerked instinctively from the comfort of his arm.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “So that’s why you bothered me so!” she cried, her voice muffled by her fingers.
menaceverbUS /ˈmenəs/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
mockingadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːkɪŋ/
abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading “So that’s why you bothered me so!” she cried, her voice muffled by her fingers.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
pallidadjectiveUS /ˈpæləd/
abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “So that’s why you bothered me so!” she cried, her voice muffled by her fingers.
soddenadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːdən/
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
SquirmingverbUS /ˈskwɜːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “squirm” — to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “So that’s why you bothered me so!” she cried, her voice muffled by her fingers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
a special situation
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Squirming away from him, under the sodden blanket of canvas, she curled into a tight little ball of agony, her face cupped in her hands.
utteringverbUS /ˈʌtərɪŋ/
-ing form of “utter” — articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “So that’s why you bothered me so!” she cried, her voice muffled by her fingers.
Yorker's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The terror which the menace of violent death had held for her now seemed a pallid, weak thing, beside the heart-stopping emotion which the New Yorker’s mocking, amused voice uttering her real name called into being.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “So that’s why you bothered me so!” she cried, her voice muffled by her fingers.
You're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You’re a detective!
