used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
aggressiveadjectiveUS /əˈɡresɪv/
having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For a moment there was silence--an ominous silence that ended in a blood-curdling hiss.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
blood-curdling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment there was silence--an ominous silence that ended in a blood-curdling hiss.
boughnounUS /baʊ/
any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
BrazilianadjectiveUS /brəˈzɪljən/
of or relating to or characteristic of Brazil or the people of Brazil
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
EncounterverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading For a moment there was silence--an ominous silence that ended in a blood-curdling hiss.
divisible by two
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment there was silence--an ominous silence that ended in a blood-curdling hiss.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter.
hissverbUS /hɪs/
make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading For a moment there was silence--an ominous silence that ended in a blood-curdling hiss.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
jararaca
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
junglenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/
a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment there was silence--an ominous silence that ended in a blood-curdling hiss.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
naturalistsnounUS /ˈnætʃərəlɪsts/
plural of “naturalist” — an advocate of the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms
From this reading As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
nudgedverbUS /nʌdʒd/
past form of “nudge” — to push against gently
From this reading As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading For a moment there was silence--an ominous silence that ended in a blood-curdling hiss.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
and nothing more
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
penetratedverbUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪd/
past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
poisonousadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪzənəs/
having the qualities or effects of a poison
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter.
ProtrudingadjectiveUS /proʊˈtruːdɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
reptilesnounUS /ˈreptaɪlz/
plural of “reptile” — any cold-blooded vertebrate of the class Reptilia including tortoises, turtles, snakes, lizards, alligators, crocodiles, and extinct forms
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading For a moment there was silence--an ominous silence that ended in a blood-curdling hiss.
sinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
snakenounUS /sneɪk/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
the rays of the sun
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
carry out
From this reading Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles--a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For a moment there was silence--an ominous silence that ended in a blood-curdling hiss.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
ThrillingadjectiveUS /ˈθrɪlɪŋ/
causing a surge of emotion or excitement
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
tighteradjectiveUS /ˈtaɪtər/
comparative of “tight” — closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading A Thrilling Encounter Protruding from a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
