used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading He had not in that second realized the details of the danger that her words had disclosed; his action was automatic--the inherited instinct of the cave-dweller ancestor.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
ancestornounUS /ˈænsestər/
someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading He had not in that second realized the details of the danger that her words had disclosed; his action was automatic--the inherited instinct of the cave-dweller ancestor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As such its force was felt in every nerve by the woman who was clinging to him.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
automaticadjectiveUS /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk/
operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control
From this reading He had not in that second realized the details of the danger that her words had disclosed; his action was automatic--the inherited instinct of the cave-dweller ancestor.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
cave-dweller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not in that second realized the details of the danger that her words had disclosed; his action was automatic--the inherited instinct of the cave-dweller ancestor.
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading As such its force was felt in every nerve by the woman who was clinging to him.
courtingnounUS /ˈkɔːrtɪŋ/
a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
crowdsnounUS /kraʊdz/
plural of “crowd” — a large number of things or people considered together
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
true confidential information
From this reading He had not in that second realized the details of the danger that her words had disclosed; his action was automatic--the inherited instinct of the cave-dweller ancestor.
disclosedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskloʊzd/
made known (especially something secret or concealed)
From this reading He had not in that second realized the details of the danger that her words had disclosed; his action was automatic--the inherited instinct of the cave-dweller ancestor.
dissolvingnounUS /dɪˈzɔːlvɪŋ/
the process of going into solution
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
dwindlingadjectiveUS /ˈdwɪndəlɪŋ/
gradually decreasing until little remains
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading As such its force was felt in every nerve by the woman who was clinging to him.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading As such its force was felt in every nerve by the woman who was clinging to him.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading As such its force was felt in every nerve by the woman who was clinging to him.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had not in that second realized the details of the danger that her words had disclosed; his action was automatic--the inherited instinct of the cave-dweller ancestor.
inheritedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈherətɪd/
occurring among members of a family usually by heredity
From this reading He had not in that second realized the details of the danger that her words had disclosed; his action was automatic--the inherited instinct of the cave-dweller ancestor.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As such its force was felt in every nerve by the woman who was clinging to him.
jerkverbUS /dʒɜːrk/
pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
the sound of laughing
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
a particular point in time
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
nervenounUS /nɜːrv/
any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body
From this reading As such its force was felt in every nerve by the woman who was clinging to him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had not in that second realized the details of the danger that her words had disclosed; his action was automatic--the inherited instinct of the cave-dweller ancestor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
primevaladjectiveUS /praɪˈmiːvəl/
having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
protectiveadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪv/
intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading He had not in that second realized the details of the danger that her words had disclosed; his action was automatic--the inherited instinct of the cave-dweller ancestor.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading He had not in that second realized the details of the danger that her words had disclosed; his action was automatic--the inherited instinct of the cave-dweller ancestor.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
shrubberies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading As such its force was felt in every nerve by the woman who was clinging to him.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As such its force was felt in every nerve by the woman who was clinging to him.
tribenounUS /traɪb/
a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
at the time that
From this reading His man’s instinct had forced him into the protective attitude of the primeval man when threatened by a sudden danger of another man or another animal.
in or at the place that
From this reading The silence was broken by the dwindling laughter of the dissolving crowds outside the house, where primeval man was carrying on his courting of primeval woman after the manner of their tribe, among the shrubberies.
which person or people
From this reading As such its force was felt in every nerve by the woman who was clinging to him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The moment that she had spoken he flung a protective arm about her--his left arm; his right arm was free, and he had turned his face away from her with a jerk and had alert eyes fixed upon the door.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading As such its force was felt in every nerve by the woman who was clinging to him.
the words that are spoken
From this reading He had not in that second realized the details of the danger that her words had disclosed; his action was automatic--the inherited instinct of the cave-dweller ancestor.
