used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading The noisy, windy night, the absolute dark, obviated all possibility of coming up with him.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
in the past
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
(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 The noisy, windy night, the absolute dark, obviated all possibility of coming up with him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Grumbling and theorising, they returned to the room and closed the door behind them.
BUCKverbUS /bʌk/
to strive with determination
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
buzzingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌzɪŋ/
noisy like the sound of a bee
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Grumbling and theorising, they returned to the room and closed the door behind them.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The noisy, windy night, the absolute dark, obviated all possibility of coming up with him.
cosynounUS /ˈkoʊzi/
a padded cloth covering to keep a teapot warm
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The noisy, windy night, the absolute dark, obviated all possibility of coming up with him.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Grumbling and theorising, they returned to the room and closed the door behind them.
enforcedadjectiveUS /enˈfɔːrst/
forced or compelled or put in force
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
GrumblingnounUS /ˈɡrʌmbəlɪŋ/
a loud low dull continuous noise
From this reading Grumbling and theorising, they returned to the room and closed the door behind them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
highwaymannoun
a holdup man who stops a vehicle and steals from it
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The noisy, windy night, the absolute dark, obviated all possibility of coming up with him.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
hot-foot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
an instinctive motive
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
inactivitynounUS /ˌɪnækˈtɪvɪti/
the state of being inactive
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
held up in the air
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
full of life and energy
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
MAN'SnounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
a particular point in time
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The noisy, windy night, the absolute dark, obviated all possibility of coming up with him.
noisyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔɪzi/
full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
From this reading The noisy, windy night, the absolute dark, obviated all possibility of coming up with him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
obviatedverbUS /ˈɑːbvieɪtəd/
past form of “obviate” — do away with
From this reading The noisy, windy night, the absolute dark, obviated all possibility of coming up with him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading The noisy, windy night, the absolute dark, obviated all possibility of coming up with him.
in the near future
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
on the contrary
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
reactionnounUS /riˈækʃən/
(chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
replacingnounUS /rɪˈpleɪsɪŋ/
the act of furnishing an equivalent person or thing in the place of another
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
robberynounUS /ˈrɑːbəri/
larceny by threat of violence
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Grumbling and theorising, they returned to the room and closed the door behind them.
done under pressure
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
surmiseverbUS /sərˈmaɪz/
infer from incomplete evidence
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
moving very fast
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
tensenounUS /tens/
a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Mere impulse and swift natural reaction from their former enforced inactivity rather than any hope of success had sent them hot-foot on the pursuit.
theorising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grumbling and theorising, they returned to the room and closed the door behind them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Grumbling and theorising, they returned to the room and closed the door behind them.
THORNTONnounUS /ˈθɔːrntən/
American architect (1759-1828)
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Grumbling and theorising, they returned to the room and closed the door behind them.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The noisy, windy night, the absolute dark, obviated all possibility of coming up with him.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now that the tense moment of the actual robbery had passed there was a general buzzing talk, voices lifted in surmise, a lively excitement replacing the cosy quiet of a few moments ago.
which person or people
From this reading BUCK THORNTON, MAN'S MAN Those who had rushed into the outer darkness in the wake of the highwayman returned presently.
windyadjectiveUS /ˈwɪndi/
abounding in or exposed to the wind or breezes
From this reading The noisy, windy night, the absolute dark, obviated all possibility of coming up with him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The noisy, windy night, the absolute dark, obviated all possibility of coming up with him.
