used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading At this juncture a cry would almost surely bring that tiny, muscular contraction which might be fatal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At this juncture a cry would almost surely bring that tiny, muscular contraction which might be fatal.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading At this juncture a cry would almost surely bring that tiny, muscular contraction which might be fatal.
Buck'snounUS /bʌks/
possessive form of “buck” — a gymnastic horse without pommels and with one end elongated; used lengthwise for vaulting
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
caressedverbUS /kərˈest/
past form of “caress” — touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
ColtnounUS /koʊlt/
a young male horse under the age of four
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
contractionnounUS /kənˈtrækʃən/
(physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
From this reading At this juncture a cry would almost surely bring that tiny, muscular contraction which might be fatal.
creakverbUS /kriːk/
make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
dismounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
dumbadjectiveUS /dʌm/
slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading At this juncture a cry would almost surely bring that tiny, muscular contraction which might be fatal.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
set up or found
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
freezingnounUS /ˈfriːzɪŋ/
the withdrawal of heat to change something from a liquid to a solid
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
a young female
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
grippedverbUS /ɡrɪpt/
inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
intense and profound fear
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
juncturenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋktʃər/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading At this juncture a cry would almost surely bring that tiny, muscular contraction which might be fatal.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
LEDGEnounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
leveledverbUS /ˈlevəld/
past form of “level” — aim at
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
Lynch's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading At this juncture a cry would almost surely bring that tiny, muscular contraction which might be fatal.
momentarilyadverbUS /ˌmoʊmənˈterəli/
for an instant or moment
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
muscularadjectiveUS /ˈmʌskjələr/
of or relating to or consisting of muscle
From this reading At this juncture a cry would almost surely bring that tiny, muscular contraction which might be fatal.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
pointernounUS /ˈpɔɪntər/
a mark to indicate a direction or relation
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
saddle-leather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
cut with a saw
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
stiffenedverbUS /ˈstɪfənd/
past form of “stiffen” — become stiff or stiffer
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
supremeadjectiveUS /səˈpriːm/
final or last in your life or progress
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading At this juncture a cry would almost surely bring that tiny, muscular contraction which might be fatal.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
thankfuladjectiveUS /ˈθæŋkfəl/
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At this juncture a cry would almost surely bring that tiny, muscular contraction which might be fatal.
Thorne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
very small
From this reading At this juncture a cry would almost surely bring that tiny, muscular contraction which might be fatal.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FIGHT ON THE LEDGE In that instant of supreme horror, Mary Thorne found time to be thankful that terror struck her momentarily dumb.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
a shaky motion
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading From behind the ledge Buck's hat had disappeared, and a faint creak of saddle-leather told the girl that he had dismounted and by so doing must have moved a trifle out of range.
triggerverbUS /ˈtrɪɡər/
put in motion or move to act
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
a message informing of danger
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At this juncture a cry would almost surely bring that tiny, muscular contraction which might be fatal.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Like a pointer freezing to the scent, Lynch's whole body had stiffened; one hand gripped the leveled Colt, a finger caressed the trigger.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For now, with lips parted and a cry of warning trembling there, she saw that it was too late.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At this juncture a cry would almost surely bring that tiny, muscular contraction which might be fatal.
