used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A WIFE FOR GERARD Ursula walked back through the darkening fields.
abyssnounUS /əˈbɪs/
a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading A WIFE FOR GERARD Ursula walked back through the darkening fields.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading _Supposing_ she had discovered that these horrible creatures held her in their power?
darkeningadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənɪŋ/
becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over
From this reading A WIFE FOR GERARD Ursula walked back through the darkening fields.
degradationnounUS /ˌdeɡrəˈdeɪʃən/
changing to a lower state (a less respected state)
From this reading Would she have flung herself down into degradation unspeakable?
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading _Supposing_ she had discovered that these horrible creatures held her in their power?
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Would she have flung herself down into degradation unspeakable?
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading A WIFE FOR GERARD Ursula walked back through the darkening fields.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Would she have flung herself down into degradation unspeakable?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A WIFE FOR GERARD Ursula walked back through the darkening fields.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
GERARD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WIFE FOR GERARD Ursula walked back through the darkening fields.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _Supposing_ she had discovered that these horrible creatures held her in their power?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Would she have flung herself down into degradation unspeakable?
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading _Supposing_ she had discovered that these horrible creatures held her in their power?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _Supposing_ she had discovered that these horrible creatures held her in their power?
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading She hoped not; she trusted not.
provoking horror
From this reading _Supposing_ she had discovered that these horrible creatures held her in their power?
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Would she have flung herself down into degradation unspeakable?
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 She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She hoped not; she trusted not.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading _Supposing_ she had discovered that these horrible creatures held her in their power?
recoilverbUS /riˈkɔɪl/
draw back, as with fear or pain
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
SupposingverbUS /səˈpoʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “suppose” — express a supposition
From this reading _Supposing_ she had discovered that these horrible creatures held her in their power?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _Supposing_ she had discovered that these horrible creatures held her in their power?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A WIFE FOR GERARD Ursula walked back through the darkening fields.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading _Supposing_ she had discovered that these horrible creatures held her in their power?
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading _Supposing_ she had discovered that these horrible creatures held her in their power?
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A WIFE FOR GERARD Ursula walked back through the darkening fields.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
a shaky motion
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
trustedadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌstɪd/
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence
From this reading She hoped not; she trusted not.
unspeakableadjectiveUS /ənˈspiːkəbəl/
defying expression or description
From this reading Would she have flung herself down into degradation unspeakable?
Ursula
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WIFE FOR GERARD Ursula walked back through the darkening fields.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading A WIFE FOR GERARD Ursula walked back through the darkening fields.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading A WIFE FOR GERARD Ursula walked back through the darkening fields.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Would she have flung herself down into degradation unspeakable?
but in spite of that
From this reading She knew herself now to be safe, yet she hung as one trembling in the recoil from the flash across a sudden abyss.
