used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Instinctively both reached for their belts and pistols, which they had placed close to their hands on retiring.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
in a state of sleep
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
beltsnounUS /belts/
plural of “belt” — endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading Instinctively both reached for their belts and pistols, which they had placed close to their hands on retiring.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Instinctively both reached for their belts and pistols, which they had placed close to their hands on retiring.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
Charley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
Chris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Instinctively both reached for their belts and pistols, which they had placed close to their hands on retiring.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
darky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
deafeningadjectiveUS /ˈdefənɪŋ/
loud enough to cause (temporary) hearing loss
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
dodgedverbUS /dɑːdʒd/
past form of “dodge” — make a sudden movement in a new direction so as to avoid
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
earthquakenounUS /ˈɜːrθkweɪk/
shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Instinctively both reached for their belts and pistols, which they had placed close to their hands on retiring.
grinnounUS /ɡrɪn/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Instinctively both reached for their belts and pistols, which they had placed close to their hands on retiring.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
hurledverbUS /hɜːrld/
past form of “hurl” — throw forcefully
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
impnounUS /ɪmp/
(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
InstinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading Instinctively both reached for their belts and pistols, which they had placed close to their hands on retiring.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
and nothing more
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
nimblyadverbUS /ˈnɪmbli/
in a nimble or agile manner; with quickness and lightness and ease
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE WAY.
and nothing more
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
pistolsnounUS /ˈpɪstəlz/
plural of “pistol” — a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading Instinctively both reached for their belts and pistols, which they had placed close to their hands on retiring.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Instinctively both reached for their belts and pistols, which they had placed close to their hands on retiring.
racketnounUS /ˈrækɪt/
a loud and disturbing noise
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Instinctively both reached for their belts and pistols, which they had placed close to their hands on retiring.
retiringadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ/
not arrogant or presuming
From this reading Instinctively both reached for their belts and pistols, which they had placed close to their hands on retiring.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
shoenounUS /ʃuː/
footwear shaped to fit the foot (below the ankle) with a flexible upper of leather or plastic and a sole and heel of heavier material
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE WAY.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Instinctively both reached for their belts and pistols, which they had placed close to their hands on retiring.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
tin-pan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
the act of using
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading ON THE WAY.
at the time that
From this reading It seemed to the boys that they had only just fallen asleep when a crash like that of mighty thunder brought them startled out of the land of dreams.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Instinctively both reached for their belts and pistols, which they had placed close to their hands on retiring.
which person or people
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was no need for their use, however, for the author of the deafening racket was only Chris who, with a grin on his face, was beating on a tin-pan close to their heads.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You little imp, I thought it was an earthquake," cried Charley as he hurled a shoe at the little darky, who dodged it nimbly.
