used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading It soon forged ahead, but she had passed the outskirts of the town then and was not afraid.
at or in the front
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
ascentnounUS /əˈsent/
an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
From this reading A little way up the ascent a cumbrous shadow startled her.
automobilenounUS /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːl/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
boastedverbUS /ˈboʊstəd/
past form of “boast” — show off
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
bulknounUS /bʌlk/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It soon forged ahead, but she had passed the outskirts of the town then and was not afraid.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
cumbrousadjective
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
From this reading A little way up the ascent a cumbrous shadow startled her.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
dance-hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
evangelistnounUS /ɪˈvændʒəlɪst/
a preacher of the Christian gospel
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
forgedadjectiveUS /fɔːrdʒd/
reproduced fraudulently
From this reading It soon forged ahead, but she had passed the outskirts of the town then and was not afraid.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
influxnounUS /ˈɪnflʌks/
the process of flowing in
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It soon forged ahead, but she had passed the outskirts of the town then and was not afraid.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
Jessica
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little way up the ascent a cumbrous shadow startled her.
melodeon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
in motion
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It soon forged ahead, but she had passed the outskirts of the town then and was not afraid.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
and nothing more
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading It soon forged ahead, but she had passed the outskirts of the town then and was not afraid.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading It soon forged ahead, but she had passed the outskirts of the town then and was not afraid.
preparatoryadjectiveUS /prɪˈperətɔːri/
preceding and preparing for something
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
puff-puff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
quasi-company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
quickenedverbUS /ˈkwɪkənd/
past form of “quicken” — move faster
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading A little way up the ascent a cumbrous shadow startled her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
sheriff'snounUS /ˈʃerəfs/
possessive form of “sheriff” — the principal law-enforcement officer in a county
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
SmokyadjectiveUS /ˈsmoʊki/
marked by or emitting or filled with smoke
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
in the near future
From this reading It soon forged ahead, but she had passed the outskirts of the town then and was not afraid.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading A little way up the ascent a cumbrous shadow startled her.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
trepidationnounUS /ˌtrepɪˈdeɪʃən/
a feeling of alarm or dread
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
undesirableadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈzaɪrəbəl/
not wanted
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A little way up the ascent a cumbrous shadow startled her.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ahead of her a muffled puff-puff sounded, and the dark bulk of an automobile--the sheriff's, the only one the town of Smoky Mountain boasted--was moving slowly in the same direction, and she quickened her pace, glad of this quasi-company.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading A little way up the ascent a cumbrous shadow startled her.
a Caucasian
From this reading THE WHITE HORSE SKIN Curiosity held Jessica until the evangelist closed his melodeon preparatory to a descent upon the dance-hall.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, thinking of the growing dark with some trepidation--for the recent "strike" had brought its influx of undesirable characters to the town--she started toward the mountain.
