used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Yes, I am Louisiana," he said.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
react verbally
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
cameonounUS /ˈkæmioʊ/
engraving or carving in low relief on a stone (as in a brooch or ring)
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
chalknounUS /tʃɔːk/
A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
flamesnounUS /fleɪmz/
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
coins made of gold
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
gropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Yes, I am Louisiana," he said.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Yes, I am Louisiana," he said.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What is the matter?"
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
Launay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
LouisiananounUS /luːˌiːziˈænə/
a state in southern United States on the Gulf of Mexico; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War
From this reading "Yes, I am Louisiana," he said.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "What is the matter?"
MedusanounUS /məˈduːsə/
(Greek mythology) a woman transformed into a Gorgon by Athena; she was slain by Perseus
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
pacedverbUS /peɪst/
past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
retreatingverbUS /riˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Yes, I am Louisiana," he said.
cut with a saw
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
SEEKERSnounUS /ˈsiːkərz/
plural of “seeker” — someone making a search or inquiry
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
sensingnounUS /ˈsensɪŋ/
the perception that something has occurred or some state exists
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
shirtwaistnoun
a blouse with buttons down the front
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
watchfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɑːtʃfəl/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading GOLD SEEKERS Puzzled, but watchful and alert, De Launay saw her retreating, sensing the terrible change that had come over her.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What is the matter?"
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading In answer she laughed, while one hand went to the breast of her shirtwaist and the other reached behind her, groping for something as she paced backward.
writhingadjectiveUS /ˈraɪðɪŋ/
moving in a twisting or snake-like or wormlike fashion
From this reading Like a cameo in chalk her features were set and the writhing flames in her hair called up an image of Medusa.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, I am Louisiana," he said.
