used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
Ann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ann saw the spasm that crossed his face, lifting his brows and widening his eyes.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
browsnounUS /braʊz/
plural of “brow” — the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading Ann saw the spasm that crossed his face, lifting his brows and widening his eyes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
CoatsnounUS /koʊts/
plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
placed crosswise
From this reading Ann saw the spasm that crossed his face, lifting his brows and widening his eyes.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Ann saw the spasm that crossed his face, lifting his brows and widening his eyes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Ann saw the spasm that crossed his face, lifting his brows and widening his eyes.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She thought that she had startled him; he did not know who she was.
heavily-built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ann saw the spasm that crossed his face, lifting his brows and widening his eyes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She thought that she had startled him; he did not know who she was.
liftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading Ann saw the spasm that crossed his face, lifting his brows and widening his eyes.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
used to form the superlative
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
and nothing more
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
Penniman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
Pennimans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
cut with a saw
From this reading Ann saw the spasm that crossed his face, lifting his brows and widening his eyes.
screenedverbUS /skriːnd/
past form of “screen” — test or examine for the presence of disease or infection
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
sharp-featured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
spasmnounUS /ˈspæzəm/
a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
From this reading Ann saw the spasm that crossed his face, lifting his brows and widening his eyes.
be standing; be upright
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading She thought that she had startled him; he did not know who she was.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
not in physical motion
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She thought that she had startled him; he did not know who she was.
throbbingnounUS /ˈθrɑːbɪŋ/
an instance of rapid strong pulsation (of the heart)
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
undergrowthnounUS /ˈʌndərɡroʊθ/
the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She thought that she had startled him; he did not know who she was.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
at the time that
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
in or at the place that
From this reading She had waited eagerly enough, but with each step that brought him nearer, her terror of what might be held her back; she did not stand out where she could be seen until her father had nearly reached her.
which person or people
From this reading She thought that she had startled him; he did not know who she was.
wideningnounUS /ˈwaɪdənɪŋ/
an increase in width
From this reading Ann saw the spasm that crossed his face, lifting his brows and widening his eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading When she came out suddenly from behind the undergrowth that screened her, they were only a few yards apart, and Coats Penniman stopped on a forward step, stood quite still.
but in spite of that
From this reading She watched him with the blood throbbing in her ears, a heavily-built man, not thin and sharp-featured like most of the Pennimans, yet with the Penniman look about him.
