used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading An arm with a pistol appeared through the opening; there was a flash of fire and a bullet sped past him.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading An arm with a pistol appeared through the opening; there was a flash of fire and a bullet sped past him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT BAY IN THE PASS.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading AT BAY IN THE PASS.
beadnounUS /biːd/
a small ball with a hole through the middle
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
bulletnounUS /ˈbʊlət/
a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading An arm with a pistol appeared through the opening; there was a flash of fire and a bullet sped past him.
bumpedverbUS /bʌmpt/
past form of “bump” — knock against with force or violence
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He fired quickly in return, and the weapon of his unseen enemy dropped to the floor with a crash, followed by a shrill scream of pain.
Chester's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
clatternounUS /ˈklætər/
a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading He fired quickly in return, and the weapon of his unseen enemy dropped to the floor with a crash, followed by a shrill scream of pain.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading He fired quickly in return, and the weapon of his unseen enemy dropped to the floor with a crash, followed by a shrill scream of pain.
an opposing military force
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
start firing a weapon
From this reading An arm with a pistol appeared through the opening; there was a flash of fire and a bullet sped past him.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading He fired quickly in return, and the weapon of his unseen enemy dropped to the floor with a crash, followed by a shrill scream of pain.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading An arm with a pistol appeared through the opening; there was a flash of fire and a bullet sped past him.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading He fired quickly in return, and the weapon of his unseen enemy dropped to the floor with a crash, followed by a shrill scream of pain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
Hal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading An arm with a pistol appeared through the opening; there was a flash of fire and a bullet sped past him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AT BAY IN THE PASS.
inadvertentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnədˈvɜːrtəntli/
without knowledge or intention
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading An arm with a pistol appeared through the opening; there was a flash of fire and a bullet sped past him.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading He fired quickly in return, and the weapon of his unseen enemy dropped to the floor with a crash, followed by a shrill scream of pain.
pansnounUS /pænz/
plural of “pan” — cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
go across or through
From this reading AT BAY IN THE PASS.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading An arm with a pistol appeared through the opening; there was a flash of fire and a bullet sped past him.
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading An arm with a pistol appeared through the opening; there was a flash of fire and a bullet sped past him.
potsnounUS /pɑːts/
plural of “pot” — metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
with speed
From this reading He fired quickly in return, and the weapon of his unseen enemy dropped to the floor with a crash, followed by a shrill scream of pain.
realizingverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “realize” — be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He fired quickly in return, and the weapon of his unseen enemy dropped to the floor with a crash, followed by a shrill scream of pain.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
screamverbUS /skriːm/
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading He fired quickly in return, and the weapon of his unseen enemy dropped to the floor with a crash, followed by a shrill scream of pain.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading He fired quickly in return, and the weapon of his unseen enemy dropped to the floor with a crash, followed by a shrill scream of pain.
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading An arm with a pistol appeared through the opening; there was a flash of fire and a bullet sped past him.
stockstill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT BAY IN THE PASS.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
in or at that place or location
From this reading An arm with a pistol appeared through the opening; there was a flash of fire and a bullet sped past him.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
unseenadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːn/
not seen or perceived
From this reading He fired quickly in return, and the weapon of his unseen enemy dropped to the floor with a crash, followed by a shrill scream of pain.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
a message informing of danger
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading He fired quickly in return, and the weapon of his unseen enemy dropped to the floor with a crash, followed by a shrill scream of pain.
at the time that
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill.
