used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
ALTARSnounUS /ˈɔːltərz/
plural of “altar” — the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading Bob, dear Bob, had not failed her.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
dearly loved
From this reading Bob, dear Bob, had not failed her.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Bob, dear Bob, had not failed her.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
floodnounUS /flʌd/
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
frightfuladjectiveUS /ˈfraɪtfəl/
provoking horror
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
hoarselyadverb
in a hoarse or husky voice
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
an opening into or through something
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
horror-strickenadjective
stricken with horror
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
insistentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstənt/
repetitive and persistent
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
and nothing more
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
louderadjectiveUS /ˈlaʊdər/
comparative of “loud” — characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
poundingnounUS /ˈpaʊndɪŋ/
repeated heavy blows
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
recollectionnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃən/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
To recall to mind.
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
cut with a saw
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
shelfnounUS /ʃelf/
A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
shrinkingnounUS /ˈʃrɪŋkɪŋ/
process or result of becoming less or smaller
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
shudderedverbUS /ˈʃʌdərd/
past form of “shudder” — shake, as from cold
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
sickeningadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkənɪŋ/
causing or able to cause nausea
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
successive (without a break)
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
Taggart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
thankfulnessnounUS /ˈθæŋkfəlnes/
warm friendly feelings of gratitude
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
a special situation
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
a shaky motion
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
TRIBEnounUS /traɪb/
a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading At first she did not remember what had happened, and then she saw Taggart, lying face upward on the floor near her, the frightful hole in his forehead, and she shuddered as recollection in a sickening flood came to her.
at the time that
From this reading FOR THE ALTARS OF HIS TRIBE The first sound that Betty heard when consciousness began to return to her was a loud pounding at the kitchen door.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She had fallen to the floor just beneath the shelf on which the lamp sat, and she raised herself on an elbow and looked around.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She got up, trembling a little, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, shrinking from the Thing that lay on the floor at her feet with its horror-stricken eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, making her way to the kitchen door, for the pounding had grown louder and more insistent, and she could hear a voice calling hoarsely to her.
