used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The screams of the startled girls almost drowned the noise of the plaster's fall, but Ruth Fielding did not join in the outcry.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
avalanchenounUS /ˈævəlæntʃ/
a slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The screams of the startled girls almost drowned the noise of the plaster's fall, but Ruth Fielding did not join in the outcry.
Cameron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
ChessnounUS /tʃes/
weedy annual native to Europe but widely distributed as a weed especially in wheat
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
CopleynounUS /ˈkɑːpli/
American painter who did portraits of Paul Revere and John Hancock before fleeing to England to avoid the American Revolution (1738-1815)
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
desirousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəs/
having or expressing desire for something
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The screams of the startled girls almost drowned the noise of the plaster's fall, but Ruth Fielding did not join in the outcry.
without deviation
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
drownedverbUS /draʊnd/
past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading The screams of the startled girls almost drowned the noise of the plaster's fall, but Ruth Fielding did not join in the outcry.
remove the dust from
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading The screams of the startled girls almost drowned the noise of the plaster's fall, but Ruth Fielding did not join in the outcry.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
FieldingnounUS /ˈfiːldɪŋ/
(baseball) handling the ball while playing in the field
From this reading The screams of the startled girls almost drowned the noise of the plaster's fall, but Ruth Fielding did not join in the outcry.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The screams of the startled girls almost drowned the noise of the plaster's fall, but Ruth Fielding did not join in the outcry.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
be the source of pain
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
involuntarilyadverbUS /ˌɪnvoʊˈlʌntərɪli/
against your will
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading The screams of the startled girls almost drowned the noise of the plaster's fall, but Ruth Fielding did not join in the outcry.
kickedverbUS /kɪkt/
past form of “kick” — drive or propel with the foot
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
LUTEnounUS /luːt/
a substance for packing a joint or coating a porous surface to make it impervious to gas or liquid
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
a particular point in time
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
not any; not one
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
outcrynounUS /ˈaʊtkraɪ/
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading The screams of the startled girls almost drowned the noise of the plaster's fall, but Ruth Fielding did not join in the outcry.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
patchnounUS /pætʃ/
a small contrasting part of something
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
plasterverbUS /ˈplæstər/
apply a heavy coat to
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
plaster's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The screams of the startled girls almost drowned the noise of the plaster's fall, but Ruth Fielding did not join in the outcry.
by chance
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
RIFTnounUS /rɪft/
a gap between cloud masses
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
rippingadjectiveUS /ˈrɪpɪŋ/
resembling a sound of violent tearing as of something ripped apart or lightning splitting a tree
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
savingnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋ/
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
screamsnounUS /skriːmz/
plural of “scream” — sharp piercing cry
From this reading The screams of the startled girls almost drowned the noise of the plaster's fall, but Ruth Fielding did not join in the outcry.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
snarlingverbUS /ˈsnɑːrlɪŋ/
-ing form of “snarl” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading The screams of the startled girls almost drowned the noise of the plaster's fall, but Ruth Fielding did not join in the outcry.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
male cat
From this reading A RIFT IN HIS LUTE Tom Cameron, no matter how desirous he might be of saving Ruth from hurt, could not possibly have got around the table in time.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading With one movement, it seemed, Copley had risen and kicked his own chair away, seized Ruth about her waist as he did so, and so dragged her out from under the avalanche.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
in or at the place that
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was all over in a moment, and the two stood, clinging to each other involuntarily, while the dust of the fallen plaster spread around them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With a snarling, ripping noise the heavy patch of plaster tore away from the ceiling and fell directly upon the spot where the chairs of Ruth and Chess Copley had been placed!
