used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I hardly recognized them, blackened by powder, with here and there a blood stain showing ghastly.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
in actual fact
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless.
BILLIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
blackenedadjectiveUS /ˈblækənd/
darkened by smoke
From this reading I hardly recognized them, blackened by powder, with here and there a blood stain showing ghastly.
blindlyadverbUS /ˈblaɪndli/
without seeing or looking
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading I hardly recognized them, blackened by powder, with here and there a blood stain showing ghastly.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
comprehendverbUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhend/
get the meaning of something
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
crushedadjectiveUS /krʌʃt/
treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance
From this reading The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless.
curlingnounUS /ˈkɜːrlɪŋ/
a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
dawnedverbUS /dɔːnd/
past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
encircledadjectiveUS /ɪnˈsɜːrkəld/
confined on all sides
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading I hardly recognized them, blackened by powder, with here and there a blood stain showing ghastly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
only a very short time before
From this reading I hardly recognized them, blackened by powder, with here and there a blood stain showing ghastly.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading I hardly recognized them, blackened by powder, with here and there a blood stain showing ghastly.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
the force of workers available
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
a particular point in time
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
not in physical motion
From this reading The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless.
muzzlesnounUS /ˈmʌzəlz/
plural of “muzzle” — the open circular discharging end of a gun
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
powdernounUS /ˈpaʊdər/
a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized
From this reading I hardly recognized them, blackened by powder, with here and there a blood stain showing ghastly.
projectedadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektəd/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless.
REAPPEARSverbUS /ˌriːəˈpɪrz/
third-person singular of “reappear” — appear again
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading I hardly recognized them, blackened by powder, with here and there a blood stain showing ghastly.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
rucknounUS /rʌk/
a crowd especially of ordinary or undistinguished persons or things
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
only a very short time before
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading I hardly recognized them, blackened by powder, with here and there a blood stain showing ghastly.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
splinteredverbUS /ˈsplɪntərd/
past form of “splinter” — withdraw from an organization or communion
From this reading The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless.
stainnounUS /steɪn/
a soiled or discolored appearance
From this reading I hardly recognized them, blackened by powder, with here and there a blood stain showing ghastly.
not in physical motion
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I hardly recognized them, blackened by powder, with here and there a blood stain showing ghastly.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and into the faces of the men nearest me.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For the moment I could not comprehend what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I hardly recognized them, blackened by powder, with here and there a blood stain showing ghastly.
people who are wounded
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
but in spite of that
From this reading MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue smoke curling from the muzzles.
