used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The fire kept up steadily, and at irregular intervals a star-shell would illuminate the high mountains.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The fire kept up steadily, and at irregular intervals a star-shell would illuminate the high mountains.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Lucia wondered dully what had been struck.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Lucia's tired little body rested, but her eyes never relaxed their watch in the darkness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Lucia's tired little body rested, but her eyes never relaxed their watch in the darkness.
Cellino
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Lucia's tired little body rested, but her eyes never relaxed their watch in the darkness.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
dullyadverb
without liveliness
From this reading Lucia wondered dully what had been struck.
encircleverbUS /enˈsɜːrkəl/
form or draw a circle around
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Lucia's tired little body rested, but her eyes never relaxed their watch in the darkness.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The fire kept up steadily, and at irregular intervals a star-shell would illuminate the high mountains.
flamesnounUS /fleɪmz/
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
GARIBALDInounUS /ˌɡærəˈbɔːldi/
Italian patriot whose conquest of Sicily and Naples led to the formation of the Italian state (1807-1882)
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lucia wondered dully what had been struck.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lucia's tired little body rested, but her eyes never relaxed their watch in the darkness.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The fire kept up steadily, and at irregular intervals a star-shell would illuminate the high mountains.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
illuminateverbUS /ɪˈluː.mɪ.neɪt/
To light up or make clear; to decorate a manuscript with gold, silver, or brilliant colors.
From this reading The fire kept up steadily, and at irregular intervals a star-shell would illuminate the high mountains.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading The fire kept up steadily, and at irregular intervals a star-shell would illuminate the high mountains.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading The fire kept up steadily, and at irregular intervals a star-shell would illuminate the high mountains.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The fire kept up steadily, and at irregular intervals a star-shell would illuminate the high mountains.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Lucia's tired little body rested, but her eyes never relaxed their watch in the darkness.
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 GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
Lucia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucia wondered dully what had been struck.
Lucia's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucia's tired little body rested, but her eyes never relaxed their watch in the darkness.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The fire kept up steadily, and at irregular intervals a star-shell would illuminate the high mountains.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Lucia's tired little body rested, but her eyes never relaxed their watch in the darkness.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
on one occasion
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/
without strain or anxiety
From this reading Lucia's tired little body rested, but her eyes never relaxed their watch in the darkness.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading Lucia's tired little body rested, but her eyes never relaxed their watch in the darkness.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
star-shell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire kept up steadily, and at irregular intervals a star-shell would illuminate the high mountains.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading The fire kept up steadily, and at irregular intervals a star-shell would illuminate the high mountains.
STRETCHER-BEARERnounUS /ˈstretʃərˈberər/
one who helps carry a stretcher
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Lucia wondered dully what had been struck.
terrifyingadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪɪŋ/
causing extreme terror
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Lucia's tired little body rested, but her eyes never relaxed their watch in the darkness.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading Lucia's tired little body rested, but her eyes never relaxed their watch in the darkness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
in the direction of
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The fire kept up steadily, and at irregular intervals a star-shell would illuminate the high mountains.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Towards midnight there was an extra loud explosion, and once more the terrifying flames seemed to encircle Cellino.
look attentively
From this reading Lucia's tired little body rested, but her eyes never relaxed their watch in the darkness.
weariedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪrid/
exhausted
From this reading GARIBALDI, STRETCHER-BEARER The long night set in, and the soldier, wearied from his long wait, dropped to sleep in spite of the noise.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Lucia wondered dully what had been struck.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Lucia wondered dully what had been struck.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The fire kept up steadily, and at irregular intervals a star-shell would illuminate the high mountains.
