used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
(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 Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
Cestus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
convenientadjectiveUS /kənˈviːnjənt/
suited to your comfort or purpose or needs
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
doubledadjectiveUS /ˈdʌbəld/
twice as great or many
From this reading A few more leaps took him out of sight and hearing; and then he doubled on his track.
DoublingnounUS /ˈdʌbəlɪŋ/
increase by a factor of two
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
exertionnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃən/
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
experiencingverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪŋ/
-ing form of “experience” — undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
opinion or judgment
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
an act that fails
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few more leaps took him out of sight and hearing; and then he doubled on his track.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
gaspnounUS /ɡæsp/
a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
gaspingverbUS /ˈɡæspɪŋ/
-ing form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
grovenounUS /ɡroʊv/
a small growth of trees without underbrush
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
harenounUS /her/
swift timid long-eared mammal larger than a rabbit having a divided upper lip and long hind legs; young born furred and with open eyes
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading A few more leaps took him out of sight and hearing; and then he doubled on his track.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A few more leaps took him out of sight and hearing; and then he doubled on his track.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
hookedadjectiveUS /hʊkt/
curved down like an eagle's beak
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
provoking horror
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
huntedadjectiveUS /ˈhʌntəd/
reflecting the fear or terror of one who is hunted
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
imminentadjectiveUS /ˈɪmənənt/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
incapableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/
(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
indulgentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒənt/
characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
leapsnounUS /liːps/
plural of “leap” — a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading A few more leaps took him out of sight and hearing; and then he doubled on his track.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
a particular point in time
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A few more leaps took him out of sight and hearing; and then he doubled on his track.
nervenounUS /nɜːrv/
any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
nighadjectiveUS /naɪ/
not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A few more leaps took him out of sight and hearing; and then he doubled on his track.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A few more leaps took him out of sight and hearing; and then he doubled on his track.
perceivingverbUS /pərˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “perceive” — to become aware of through the senses
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
pursuernounUS /pərˈsuːər/
a person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
with speed
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
renderverbUS /ˈrendər/
cause to become
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
past form of “render” — cause to become
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading A few more leaps took him out of sight and hearing; and then he doubled on his track.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
skullnounUS /skʌl/
the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
slothfuladjective
disinclined to work or exertion
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
smashingnounUS /ˈsmæʃɪŋ/
the act of breaking something into small pieces
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
strainingnounUS /ˈstreɪnɪŋ/
an intense or violent exertion
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
terrorsnounUS /ˈterərz/
plural of “terror” — an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A few more leaps took him out of sight and hearing; and then he doubled on his track.
in or at that place or location
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
throbbingnounUS /ˈθrɑːbɪŋ/
an instance of rapid strong pulsation (of the heart)
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Cestus, straining every nerve as he fled from the scene of his failure, expected each moment to feel the fingers of his rapidly gaining pursuer hooked into his collar.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading A few more leaps took him out of sight and hearing; and then he doubled on his track.
totallyadverbUS /ˈtoʊtəli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading A few more leaps took him out of sight and hearing; and then he doubled on his track.
the act of testing something
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
trooper'snounUS /ˈtruːpərz/
possessive form of “trooper” — a soldier in a motorized army unit
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
unequaladjectiveUS /əˈniːkwəl/
poorly balanced or matched in quantity or value or measure
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
at the time that
From this reading Doubling this way and that through the gloom, in imminent peril of smashing his skull, and experiencing all the terrors of a hunted hare, he gave a gasp of joy when he heard the crash of the trooper’s fall at his heels.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading His slothful, indulgent habits rendered him totally unequal to such a terrible trial of exertion, and his horrible gasping for breath was so severe as to render him incapable of perceiving whether there were any signs of further pursuit.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When he gained the edge of the grove, he dropped down at full length in a convenient shelter, with his heart throbbing well‐nigh to bursting, and his eyes swimming.
