used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Joyce sat up startled and peered furtively from her window.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Suppose he had been the one to catch her and hold her hands in a vise-like grip last night!
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was big and red and ugly, with bold blue eyes and red hair.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading He was big and red and ugly, with bold blue eyes and red hair.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading The man was outside waiting to board the car.
fearless and daring
From this reading He was big and red and ugly, with bold blue eyes and red hair.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The man was outside waiting to board the car.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Suppose he had been the one to catch her and hold her hands in a vise-like grip last night!
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He was big and red and ugly, with bold blue eyes and red hair.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Joyce sat up startled and peered furtively from her window.
furtivelyadverbUS /ˈfɜːrtɪvli/
in a furtive manner
From this reading Joyce sat up startled and peered furtively from her window.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading Suppose he had been the one to catch her and hold her hands in a vise-like grip last night!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading He was big and red and ugly, with bold blue eyes and red hair.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Suppose he had been the one to catch her and hold her hands in a vise-like grip last night!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was big and red and ugly, with bold blue eyes and red hair.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Joyce sat up startled and peered furtively from her window.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Suppose he had been the one to catch her and hold her hands in a vise-like grip last night!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Suppose he had been the one to catch her and hold her hands in a vise-like grip last night!
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
jawverbUS /dʒɔː/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
JoycenounUS /dʒɔɪs/
influential Irish writer noted for his many innovations (such as stream of consciousness writing) (1882-1941)
From this reading Joyce sat up startled and peered furtively from her window.
immediately past
From this reading Suppose he had been the one to catch her and hold her hands in a vise-like grip last night!
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man was outside waiting to board the car.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Suppose he had been the one to catch her and hold her hands in a vise-like grip last night!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Suppose he had been the one to catch her and hold her hands in a vise-like grip last night!
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The man was outside waiting to board the car.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Joyce sat up startled and peered furtively from her window.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading He was big and red and ugly, with bold blue eyes and red hair.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Joyce sat up startled and peered furtively from her window.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
shrinkingnounUS /ˈʃrɪŋkɪŋ/
process or result of becoming less or smaller
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Joyce sat up startled and peered furtively from her window.
express a supposition
From this reading Suppose he had been the one to catch her and hold her hands in a vise-like grip last night!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The man was outside waiting to board the car.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The man was outside waiting to board the car.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading He was big and red and ugly, with bold blue eyes and red hair.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Joyce sat up startled and peered furtively from her window.
vise-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suppose he had been the one to catch her and hold her hands in a vise-like grip last night!
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading The man was outside waiting to board the car.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The man was outside waiting to board the car.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading He had a weak mouth and a cruel jaw, and she couldn’t help shrinking into her corner as she looked.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Joyce sat up startled and peered furtively from her window.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was big and red and ugly, with bold blue eyes and red hair.
