used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
ambuscadenoun
the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
bleachingverbUS /ˈbliːtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “bleach” — remove color from
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Some might have escaped, but others had come to grief.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
circlingverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Some might have escaped, but others had come to grief.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading Some might have escaped, but others had come to grief.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
GANTLETnounUS /ˈɡɔːntlət/
to offer or accept a challenge
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
ghoulishadjectiveUS /ˈɡuːlɪʃ/
suggesting the horror of death and decay
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading Some might have escaped, but others had come to grief.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
HanovernounUS /ˈhænoʊvər/
a port city in northwestern Germany; formerly a member of the Hanseatic League
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Some might have escaped, but others had come to grief.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
any place of pain and turmoil
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
Maseden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Some might have escaped, but others had come to grief.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some might have escaped, but others had come to grief.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
move hurridly
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
savagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/
plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some might have escaped, but others had come to grief.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Some might have escaped, but others had come to grief.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
vulturesnounUS /ˈvʌltʃərz/
plural of “vulture” — any of various large diurnal birds of prey having naked heads and weak claws and feeding chiefly on carrion
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading RUNNING THE GANTLET Maseden was not greatly concerned about the dead Indian lying on the shore.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What he really expected was a sudden rush of savages from an ambuscade, since it was now certain that a party of natives had descended on Hanover Island.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The mere presence of a body showed that one, at least, must have died quite recently, while the bleaching bones passed in Hell Gate had probably been alive two days earlier.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Some vultures were already circling high overhead, and he wondered why the birds had not begun their ghoulish task.
