used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
bayingverbUS /ˈbeɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “bay” — utter in deep prolonged tones
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
brooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
firmeradjectiveUS /ˈfɜːrmər/
comparative of “firm” — marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
fleeingverbUS /ˈfliːɪŋ/
-ing form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
hindnounUS /haɪnd/
any of several mostly spotted fishes that resemble groupers
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
horriblyadverbUS /ˈhɔːrəbli/
of a dreadful kind
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
houndsnounUS /haʊndz/
plural of “hound” — any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
interminableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrmənəbəl/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
immediately past
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
leaden-footed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
staying power
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
misshapenadjectiveUS /mɪsˈʃeɪpən/
so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
overcameverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “overcome” — win a victory over
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
arrange in a container
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
restlessadjectiveUS /ˈrestləs/
worried and uneasy
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
cut with a saw
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
shapesnounUS /ʃeɪps/
plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
slumbernounUS /ˈslʌmbər/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
stoopingadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpɪŋ/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
struggledverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəld/
past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
suckedverbUS /sʌkt/
past form of “suck” — draw into the mouth by creating a practical vacuum in the mouth
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
swampverbUS /swɑːmp/
drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
TadnounUS /tæd/
a slight amount or degree of difference
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
thumbnounUS /θʌm/
the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
toenounUS /toʊ/
one of the digits of the foot
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading The black swamp grew firmer about him, and there in the surface of the mud he saw a huge track, broad, misshapen, with a great toe that looked half like a thumb.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
at the time that
From this reading Sleep overcame Tad at last, but when it did it was a strange, restless slumber, full of dreams.
in or at the place that
From this reading He seemed to be running, leaden-footed, down the bed of an interminable brook, where at every step the deep, black mud sucked horribly at his heels.
whimperverbUS /ˈwɪmpər/
cry weakly or softly
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He struggled forward, his heart almost bursting with effort, and always behind him he could hear the fierce, wild baying of dogs.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading And suddenly the cry of the hounds ended in a whimper, and he was fleeing from a pack of huge black stooping shapes that ran through the woods on their hind legs--more silent--more terrible than dogs.
