used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Surely there was some kind of a commotion going on within the humble dwelling.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
approvingnounUS /əˈpruːvɪŋ/
the formal act of approving
From this reading This was followed by a hammering and a chorus of approving feminine voices.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
Barney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
dearly loved
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This was followed by a hammering and a chorus of approving feminine voices.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
chatterverbUS /ˈtʃætər/
click repeatedly or uncontrollably
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔːrəs/
any utterance produced simultaneously by a group
From this reading This was followed by a hammering and a chorus of approving feminine voices.
clumpingnounUS /ˈklʌmpɪŋ/
the sound of a horse's hoofs hitting on a hard surface
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
commotionnounUS /kəˈmoʊʃən/
a disorderly outburst or tumult
From this reading Surely there was some kind of a commotion going on within the humble dwelling.
intentionally conceived
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
crutchesnounUS /ˈkrʌtʃɪz/
plural of “crutch” — a wooden or metal staff that fits under the armpit and reaches to the ground; used by disabled person while walking
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
dearlyadverbUS /ˈdɪrli/
in a sincere and heartfelt manner
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
dunesnounUS /duːnz/
plural of “dune” — a ridge of sand created by the wind; found in deserts or near lakes and oceans
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading Surely there was some kind of a commotion going on within the humble dwelling.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
feminineadjectiveUS /ˈfemənən/
associated with women and not with men
From this reading This was followed by a hammering and a chorus of approving feminine voices.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading This was followed by a hammering and a chorus of approving feminine voices.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
the act of departing
From this reading Surely there was some kind of a commotion going on within the humble dwelling.
hammeringnounUS /ˈhæmərɪŋ/
the act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows)
From this reading This was followed by a hammering and a chorus of approving feminine voices.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading Muriel hastened her steps.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading Surely there was some kind of a commotion going on within the humble dwelling.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
issuingnounUS /ˈɪʃuːɪŋ/
the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Surely there was some kind of a commotion going on within the humble dwelling.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
Linda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
Muriel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
nearedverbUS /nɪrd/
past form of “near” — move towards
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
noisesnounUS /ˈnɔɪzɪz/
plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
not one, and not any
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
SeparatingverbUS /ˈsepəreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “separate” — act as a barrier between; stand between
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
shantynounUS /ˈʃænti/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Surely there was some kind of a commotion going on within the humble dwelling.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Muriel hastened her steps.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Surely there was some kind of a commotion going on within the humble dwelling.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Surely there was some kind of a commotion going on within the humble dwelling.
therefromadverb
from that circumstance or source
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was followed by a hammering and a chorus of approving feminine voices.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading This was followed by a hammering and a chorus of approving feminine voices.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As Muriel neared the shanty on the sand dunes in which lived her dearly beloved friend, Captain Barney, she was conscious of unusual noises issuing therefrom.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Surely there was some kind of a commotion going on within the humble dwelling.
Wixon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
Zoeth's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Separating the sounds as she approached, she recognized one as laughter (none but Linda Wixon laughed like that), then there was the clumping of little Zoeth’s crutches, and his shrill, excited chatter.
