used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading But his efforts were absolutely in vain.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN OFFER.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But his efforts were absolutely in vain.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
commandantnounUS /ˌkɑːmənˈdɑːnt/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
cordsnounUS /kɔːrdz/
cotton trousers made of corduroy cloth
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
derisiveadjectiveUS /dərˈɪsɪv/
abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
desperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading But his efforts were absolutely in vain.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
exhibitionnounUS /ˌeksəˈbɪʃən/
the act of exhibiting
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
gagverbUS /ɡæɡ/
prevent from speaking out
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
GrailnounUS /ɡreɪl/
the object of any prolonged endeavor
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
Grail's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
gratuitousadjectiveUS /ɡrəˈtuːətəs/
without cause
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
gray-hairedadjective
showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
immovablenounUS /ˌɪˈmuːvəbəl/
property consisting of houses and land
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But his efforts were absolutely in vain.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
insultingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsʌltɪŋ/
expressing extreme contempt
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
malevolencenoun
wishing evil to others
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
muteadjectiveUS /mjuːt/
expressed without speech
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading AN OFFER.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
and nothing more
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
pealnounUS /piːl/
a deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
refinedadjectiveUS /rəˈfaɪnd/
(used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
Rezonoff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
only a very short time before
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
move stealthily
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
strainingnounUS /ˈstreɪnɪŋ/
an intense or violent exertion
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
strivingnounUS /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
Stupefiedadjective
as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading But his efforts were absolutely in vain.
visenounUS /vaɪs/
a holding device attached to a workbench; has two jaws to hold workpiece firmly in place
From this reading Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But his efforts were absolutely in vain.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word.
