used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
abysmaladjectiveUS /əˈbɪzməl/
very great; limitless
From this reading Then my friends began to cool down, and draw off, under shelter of occasional volleys, into silence and abysmal reverie.
admiringverbUS /ædˈmaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “admire” — feel admiration for
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Then my friends began to cool down, and draw off, under shelter of occasional volleys, into silence and abysmal reverie.
the two together, not just one
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
lacking funds
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading Then my friends began to cool down, and draw off, under shelter of occasional volleys, into silence and abysmal reverie.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading Then Rogers said dreamily-- 'Ten thousand dollars.'
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Then my friends began to cool down, and draw off, under shelter of occasional volleys, into silence and abysmal reverie.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading Then my friends began to cool down, and draw off, under shelter of occasional volleys, into silence and abysmal reverie.
dreamilyadverb
in a dreamy manner
From this reading Then Rogers said dreamily-- 'Ten thousand dollars.'
ejaculations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
start firing a weapon
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For ten minutes now, there was stillness.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading 'SUCH was Ritter's narrative,' said I to my two friends.
fusilladenounUS /ˈfjuːsɪleɪd/
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'SUCH was Ritter's narrative,' said I to my two friends.
impressiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpresɪv/
making a strong or vivid impression
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
lastedverbUS /ˈlæstəd/
past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
the force of workers available
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading For ten minutes now, there was stillness.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading 'SUCH was Ritter's narrative,' said I to my two friends.
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading 'SUCH was Ritter's narrative,' said I to my two friends.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For ten minutes now, there was stillness.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading Then my friends began to cool down, and draw off, under shelter of occasional volleys, into silence and abysmal reverie.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Then my friends began to cool down, and draw off, under shelter of occasional volleys, into silence and abysmal reverie.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
rattlingnounUS /ˈrætlɪŋ/
a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
reverienounUS /ˈrevəri/
absentminded dreaming while awake
From this reading Then my friends began to cool down, and draw off, under shelter of occasional volleys, into silence and abysmal reverie.
Ritter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'SUCH was Ritter's narrative,' said I to my two friends.
RogersnounUS /ˈrɑːdʒərz/
United States humorist remembered for his homespun commentary on politics and American society (1879-1935)
From this reading Then Rogers said dreamily-- 'Ten thousand dollars.'
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'SUCH was Ritter's narrative,' said I to my two friends.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading Then my friends began to cool down, and draw off, under shelter of occasional volleys, into silence and abysmal reverie.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading For ten minutes now, there was stillness.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading 'SUCH was Ritter's narrative,' said I to my two friends.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading For ten minutes now, there was stillness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Then Rogers said dreamily-- 'Ten thousand dollars.'
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 'SUCH was Ritter's narrative,' said I to my two friends.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading 'SUCH was Ritter's narrative,' said I to my two friends.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Then my friends began to cool down, and draw off, under shelter of occasional volleys, into silence and abysmal reverie.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
volleysnounUS /ˈvɑːliz/
plural of “volley” — rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
From this reading Then my friends began to cool down, and draw off, under shelter of occasional volleys, into silence and abysmal reverie.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'SUCH was Ritter's narrative,' said I to my two friends.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was a profound and impressive silence, which lasted a considerable time; then both men broke into a fusillade of exciting and admiring ejaculations over the strange incidents of the tale; and this, along with a rattling fire of questions, was kept up until all hands were about out of breath.
