used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
experiencing a sudden sense of danger
From this reading He was alarmed at first, but when he saw that his assailant was only a boy he laughed harshly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had plenty of courage, and lost sight of prudence.
assailantnounUS /əˈseɪlənt/
someone who attacks
From this reading He was alarmed at first, but when he saw that his assailant was only a boy he laughed harshly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The latter, turning at this unexpected attack, threw him off.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading The latter, turning at this unexpected attack, threw him off.
a youthful male person
From this reading He was alarmed at first, but when he saw that his assailant was only a boy he laughed harshly.
burglarnounUS /ˈbɝː.ɡlɚ/
A person who commits illegal entry into a building with intent to steal valuable treasures.
From this reading He sprang forward and seized the burglar.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was alarmed at first, but when he saw that his assailant was only a boy he laughed harshly.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading He had plenty of courage, and lost sight of prudence.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He was alarmed at first, but when he saw that his assailant was only a boy he laughed harshly.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He sprang forward and seized the burglar.
GERALD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had plenty of courage, and lost sight of prudence.
harshlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrʃli/
in a harsh or unkind manner
From this reading He was alarmed at first, but when he saw that his assailant was only a boy he laughed harshly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had plenty of courage, and lost sight of prudence.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The latter, turning at this unexpected attack, threw him off.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was alarmed at first, but when he saw that his assailant was only a boy he laughed harshly.
intrudernounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading The latter, turning at this unexpected attack, threw him off.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading He was alarmed at first, but when he saw that his assailant was only a boy he laughed harshly.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading He had plenty of courage, and lost sight of prudence.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had plenty of courage, and lost sight of prudence.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The latter, turning at this unexpected attack, threw him off.
and nothing more
From this reading He was alarmed at first, but when he saw that his assailant was only a boy he laughed harshly.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
a full supply
From this reading He had plenty of courage, and lost sight of prudence.
prudencenounUS /ˈpruːdəns/
discretion in practical affairs
From this reading He had plenty of courage, and lost sight of prudence.
cut with a saw
From this reading He was alarmed at first, but when he saw that his assailant was only a boy he laughed harshly.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading He sprang forward and seized the burglar.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading He had plenty of courage, and lost sight of prudence.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading He sprang forward and seized the burglar.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The latter, turning at this unexpected attack, threw him off.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The latter, turning at this unexpected attack, threw him off.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading The latter, turning at this unexpected attack, threw him off.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading The latter, turning at this unexpected attack, threw him off.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading GERALD did not pause to notice that the intruder was a man much larger than himself.
at the time that
From this reading He was alarmed at first, but when he saw that his assailant was only a boy he laughed harshly.
