used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The face that so suddenly glared upon them was that of a Gorgon.
anew
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
completely unclothed
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
clenchedadjectiveUS /klentʃt/
closed or squeezed together tightly
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
contractedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntræktəd/
reduced in size or pulled together
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The face that so suddenly glared upon them was that of a Gorgon.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading FATE.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
glaredverbUS /ɡlerd/
past form of “glare” — look at with a fixed gaze
From this reading The face that so suddenly glared upon them was that of a Gorgon.
GorgonnounUS /ˈɡɔːrɡən/
(Greek mythology) any of three winged sister monsters and the mortal Medusa who had live snakes for hair; a glance at Medusa turned the beholder to stone
From this reading The face that so suddenly glared upon them was that of a Gorgon.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
imprisonedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzənd/
being in captivity
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
a particular point in time
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
narrownessnounUS /ˈneroʊnəs/
the property of being narrow; having little width
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
not any; not one
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
nostrilsnounUS /ˈnɑːstrəlz/
plural of “nostril” — either one of the two external openings to the nasal cavity in the nose
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The face that so suddenly glared upon them was that of a Gorgon.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
on the contrary
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
ringlets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The face that so suddenly glared upon them was that of a Gorgon.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
spasmnounUS /ˈspæzəm/
a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
steelyadjectiveUS /ˈstiːli/
resembling steel as in hardness
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
not in physical motion
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The face that so suddenly glared upon them was that of a Gorgon.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The face that so suddenly glared upon them was that of a Gorgon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The face that so suddenly glared upon them was that of a Gorgon.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The face that so suddenly glared upon them was that of a Gorgon.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The face that so suddenly glared upon them was that of a Gorgon.
veinsnounUS /veɪnz/
plural of “vein” — a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
violentlyadverbUS /ˈvaɪələntli/
in a violent manner
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The face that so suddenly glared upon them was that of a Gorgon.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The ringlets were still pushed behind her ears and the narrowness of the brow was entirely revealed; her eyes were full of cold, steely light; the nostrils were violently drawn in, and the lips contracted, as if in a spasm, so that the teeth were laid bare.
which person or people
From this reading Lucy, who had started to her feet at the first sound, felt the blood turn chill in her veins, and fell, rather than sank, upon the seat again.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Her hands were clenched, and there was a movement in her throat as of imprisoned words or cries; but for a moment no words came.
