absolutelyadverbUS /ˌæbsəˈluːtli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
afraidadjectiveUS /əˈfreɪd/
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He began to run along the coast.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At that moment Fletcher was seized by an unaccountable panic.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At that moment Fletcher was seized by an unaccountable panic.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He began to run along the coast.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At that moment Fletcher was seized by an unaccountable panic.
calamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
caterpillarsnounUS /ˈkætəpɪlərz/
plural of “caterpillar” — a wormlike and often brightly colored and hairy or spiny larva of a butterfly or moth
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
coastnounUS /koʊst/
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading He began to run along the coast.
dangernounUS /ˈdeɪndʒər/
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
disappearingnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrɪŋ/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
emptyverbUS /ˈempti/
make void or empty of contents
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
fastadverbUS /fæst/
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
FletchernounUS /ˈfletʃər/
prolific English dramatist who collaborated with Francis Beaumont and many other dramatists (1579-1625)
From this reading At that moment Fletcher was seized by an unaccountable panic.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
hangingnounUS /ˈhæŋɪŋ/
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
misfortunenounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading At that moment Fletcher was seized by an unaccountable panic.
motionlessadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊʃənləs/
not in physical motion
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
necessaryadjectiveUS /ˈnesəseri/
absolutely essential
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
noticedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəst/
being perceived or observed
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
oilyadjectiveUS /ˈɔɪli/
containing an unusual amount of grease or oil
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
panicnounUS /ˈpænɪk/
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading At that moment Fletcher was seized by an unaccountable panic.
physicaladjectiveUS /ˈfɪzɪkəl/
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
plainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
runverbUS /rʌn/
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
seizedverbUS /siːzd/
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading At that moment Fletcher was seized by an unaccountable panic.
signnounUS /saɪn/
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At that moment Fletcher was seized by an unaccountable panic.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
unaccountableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbəl/
not to be accounted for or explained
From this reading At that moment Fletcher was seized by an unaccountable panic.
vagueadjectiveUS /veɪɡ/
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
visibleadjectiveUS /ˈvɪzəbəl/
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At that moment Fletcher was seized by an unaccountable panic.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was then he noticed that the caterpillars were fast disappearing, as if into the earth: he was too far off to make out how.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was afraid of something; he did not know what it was, but he knew, he felt absolutely certain, that some danger, no vague calamity, no distant misfortune, but some definite physical danger was hanging over him and quite close to him--something from which it would be necessary to run away, and to run fast in order to save his life.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet there was no sign of danger visible, for in front of him was the motionless oily sea, and behind him was the empty and silent plain.
