used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
financial assistance in time of need
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
constrictedadjectiveUS /kənˈstrɪktəd/
especially tense; especially in some dialects
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nan Sherwood could not cry out, though she tried.
creature's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The creature's own movements were hampered by the deep drift in which she had landed.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Nan Sherwood could not cry out, though she tried.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The creature's own movements were hampered by the deep drift in which she had landed.
driftverbUS /drɪft/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The creature's own movements were hampered by the deep drift in which she had landed.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
firmeradjectiveUS /ˈfɜːrmər/
comparative of “firm” — marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
foundationnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The creature's own movements were hampered by the deep drift in which she had landed.
hamperedverbUS /ˈhæmpərd/
past form of “hamper” — prevent the progress or free movement of
From this reading The creature's own movements were hampered by the deep drift in which she had landed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
impededadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpiːdɪd/
made difficult or slow
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The creature's own movements were hampered by the deep drift in which she had landed.
infuriatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfjʊrieɪtɪd/
marked by extreme anger
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading The creature's own movements were hampered by the deep drift in which she had landed.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
lynxnounUS /lɪŋks/
a text browser
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
engage in
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
a particular point in time
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading The creature's own movements were hampered by the deep drift in which she had landed.
NannounUS /næn/
your grandmother
From this reading Nan Sherwood could not cry out, though she tried.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nan Sherwood could not cry out, though she tried.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
and nothing more
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Nan Sherwood could not cry out, though she tried.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The creature's own movements were hampered by the deep drift in which she had landed.
paralysisnounUS /pərˈæləsəs/
loss of the ability to move a body part
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
pinwheelnoun
perennial subshrub of Tenerife having leaves in rosettes resembling pinwheels
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nan Sherwood could not cry out, though she tried.
SherwoodnounUS /ˈʃɜːrwʊd/
United States playwright (1896-1955)
From this reading Nan Sherwood could not cry out, though she tried.
snarlingverbUS /ˈsnɑːrlɪŋ/
-ing form of “snarl” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
the season of growth
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
not in physical motion
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Nan Sherwood could not cry out, though she tried.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Nan Sherwood could not cry out, though she tried.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading She opened her lips only to find her throat so constricted by fear that she could not utter a sound.
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Perhaps her sudden and utter paralysis was of benefit at the moment, after all; for she could not possibly have escaped the infuriated lynx by running.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The creature's own movements were hampered by the deep drift in which she had landed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The creature's own movements were hampered by the deep drift in which she had landed.
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading The soft snow impeded the cat and, snarling still, she whirled around and around like a pinwheel to beat a firmer foundation from which to make her final spring at her victim.
