used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
(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 All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They had been making good time, even though it was mostly uphill.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
dearly loved
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading THE TRAIL TO THE CAVE.
ChicknounUS /tʃɪk/
young bird especially of domestic fowl
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
command with authority
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
the operator of a motor vehicle
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
a movement into or inward
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
divisible by two
From this reading They had been making good time, even though it was mostly uphill.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading They had been making good time, even though it was mostly uphill.
guidedadjectiveUS /ˈɡaɪdəd/
subject to guidance or control especially after launching
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had been making good time, even though it was mostly uphill.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
hour'snounUS /ˈaʊərz/
possessive form of “hour” — a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
instinctiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/
unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
inveigled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They had been making good time, even though it was mostly uphill.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
Joyalita
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading They had been making good time, even though it was mostly uphill.
Marcos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading They had been making good time, even though it was mostly uphill.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
occupantsnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənts/
plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
ruggedadjectiveUS /ˈrʌɡəd/
sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
except for; apart from
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
seetheverbUS /siːð/
be noisy with activity
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TRAIL TO THE CAVE.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had been making good time, even though it was mostly uphill.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading They had been making good time, even though it was mostly uphill.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
up to a particular time
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They had been making good time, even though it was mostly uphill.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE TRAIL TO THE CAVE.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading THE TRAIL TO THE CAVE.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
unshadowedadjective
not darkened or obscured by shadow
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
uphilladverbUS /ˈʌpˈhɪl/
against difficulties
From this reading They had been making good time, even though it was mostly uphill.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
(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 The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
at the time that
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The sun was well up, and the whole rugged landscape began to seethe under its direct, unshadowed rays, when Chick, after an hour’s run, suddenly stopped the car.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Chick had been thinking steadily--while he guided the big car with the instinctive skill of a good driver--and he had come to the conclusion that his chief had been inveigled into the depths of this desolate country, to keep him away till it would be too late for Marcos to save his beloved Joyalita.
zonenounUS /zoʊn/
a locally circumscribed place characterized by some distinctive features
From this reading All three occupants developed caution now, as they felt instinctively that they were entering a zone of danger.
