used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
aimedverbUS /eɪmd/
past form of “aim” — point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading A stream of water from a long syringe, aimed over the heads of the sufferers, had cleared the doorway of spectators.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading The would-be hazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading The would-be hazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors.
audibleadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəbəl/
heard or perceptible by the ear
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
buttonnounUS /ˈbʌtən/
a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
captorsnounUS /ˈkæptərz/
plural of “captor” — a person who captures and holds people or animals
From this reading The would-be hazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the door shut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading A stream of water from a long syringe, aimed over the heads of the sufferers, had cleared the doorway of spectators.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
cordnounUS /kɔːrd/
a line made of twisted fibers or threads
From this reading The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the door shut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it.
deadlatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the door shut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the door shut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading A stream of water from a long syringe, aimed over the heads of the sufferers, had cleared the doorway of spectators.
expletivesnounUS /ˈeksplətɪvz/
plural of “expletive” — profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The would-be hazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading The would-be hazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors.
FIXTURESnounUS /ˈfɪkstʃərz/
plural of “fixture” — an object firmly fixed in place (especially in a household)
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading The would-be hazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors.
gaspnounUS /ɡæsp/
a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
GusnounUS /ɡʌs/
plural of “gu” — the largest and southernmost island in the Marianas which is administered as a territory of the United States; it was ceded by Spain to the United States in 1898
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
hazers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The would-be hazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading A stream of water from a long syringe, aimed over the heads of the sufferers, had cleared the doorway of spectators.
hurledverbUS /hɜːrld/
past form of “hurl” — throw forcefully
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the door shut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it.
jerkverbUS /dʒɜːrk/
pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the door shut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the door shut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A stream of water from a long syringe, aimed over the heads of the sufferers, had cleared the doorway of spectators.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the door shut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A stream of water from a long syringe, aimed over the heads of the sufferers, had cleared the doorway of spectators.
perforceadverbUS /pərˈfɔːrs/
by necessity; by force of circumstance
From this reading The would-be hazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
preventionnounUS /priˈvenʃən/
the act of preventing
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/
without strain or anxiety
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
requiringverbUS /riˈkwaɪərɪŋ/
-ing form of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the door shut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the door shut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it.
slammedverbUS /slæmd/
inflected form of “slam” — close violently
From this reading The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the door shut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it.
spectatorsnounUS /ˈspekteɪtərz/
plural of “spectator” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading A stream of water from a long syringe, aimed over the heads of the sufferers, had cleared the doorway of spectators.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading A stream of water from a long syringe, aimed over the heads of the sufferers, had cleared the doorway of spectators.
sufferersnounUS /ˈsʌfərərz/
plural of “sufferer” — a person suffering from an illness
From this reading A stream of water from a long syringe, aimed over the heads of the sufferers, had cleared the doorway of spectators.
syringenounUS /sərˈɪndʒ/
a medical instrument used to inject or withdraw fluids
From this reading A stream of water from a long syringe, aimed over the heads of the sufferers, had cleared the doorway of spectators.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The would-be hazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading The would-be hazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the door shut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it.
arousing affect
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
trappedadjectiveUS /træpt/
forced to turn and face attackers
From this reading The would-be hazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The would-be hazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
precisely as stated
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
volleynounUS /ˈvɑːli/
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The jerk of a ceiling cord slammed the door shut and it was deadlatched, requiring a key to open it.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading A stream of water from a long syringe, aimed over the heads of the sufferers, had cleared the doorway of spectators.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
wiresnounUS /ˈwaɪərz/
plural of “wire” — ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
in the company of; together with
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There would probably have been a general retreat mixed with a volley of expletives hurled at Bill and Gus, had not Gus taken a hand in the prevention of this, as planned.
would-beadjective
unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition
From this reading The would-be hazers, thus trapped and fearful of attempting a further attack, turned, perforce, to face their captors.
youthsnounUS /juːðz/
plural of “youth” — a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading GOOD WILL AND FIXTURES Bill made another motion touching the wall button, and instantly, with a combined and very audible gasp, the seven youths relaxed, got away from the wires and stood up.
