Chapter XVII · Wonderful Work

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

perfect or complete or pure

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

(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 Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

-ing form of “bay” — utter in deep prolonged tones

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading “That’s Zip,” said his pleased owner; “he will be here in a few minutes.”

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

a breed of large powerful hound of European origin having very acute smell and used in tracking

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

inflected form of “emit” — expel (gases or odors)

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

an abrupt excited utterance

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading “That’s Zip,” said his pleased owner; “he will be here in a few minutes.”

make full, also in a metaphorical sense

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

-ing form of “flee” — run away quickly

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

someone who flees from an uncongenial situation

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

the sound of growling (as made by animals)

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading “He has a remarkable voice,” said Scout Master Hall; “I never heard the like.”

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “He has a remarkable voice,” said Scout Master Hall; “I never heard the like.”

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “That’s Zip,” said his pleased owner; “he will be here in a few minutes.”

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading “He has a remarkable voice,” said Scout Master Hall; “I never heard the like.”

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading “That’s Zip,” said his pleased owner; “he will be here in a few minutes.”

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading “That’s Zip,” said his pleased owner; “he will be here in a few minutes.”

emit long loud cries

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

become quiet or still; fall silent

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “He has a remarkable voice,” said Scout Master Hall; “I never heard the like.”

the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading “That’s Zip,” said his pleased owner; “he will be here in a few minutes.”

with strained or eager attention

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading “He has a remarkable voice,” said Scout Master Hall; “I never heard the like.”

plural of “listener” — someone who listens attentively

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading “He has a remarkable voice,” said Scout Master Hall; “I never heard the like.”

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

device for converting sound waves into electrical energy

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading “That’s Zip,” said his pleased owner; “he will be here in a few minutes.”

(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading “He has a remarkable voice,” said Scout Master Hall; “I never heard the like.”

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading “That’s Zip,” said his pleased owner; “he will be here in a few minutes.”

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

a human being

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading “That’s Zip,” said his pleased owner; “he will be here in a few minutes.”

unusual or striking

From this reading “He has a remarkable voice,” said Scout Master Hall; “I never heard the like.”

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “That’s Zip,” said his pleased owner; “he will be here in a few minutes.”

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading “He has a remarkable voice,” said Scout Master Hall; “I never heard the like.”

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

(poetic) tranquil silence

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

express in words

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “That’s Zip,” said his pleased owner; “he will be here in a few minutes.”

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading “He has a remarkable voice,” said Scout Master Hall; “I never heard the like.”

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

which person or people

From this reading Mike Murphy, who had been one of the most absorbed of listeners and was seated near the guest, rose to his feet and emitted a cry which, so far as the listeners could tell, was an absolutely perfect imitation of that of the dog.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “That’s Zip,” said his pleased owner; “he will be here in a few minutes.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was neither a bark nor a growl, but a mixture of the two,—a deep howl that might well fill a fleeing fugitive with shivering fear.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Absolute hush followed the exclamation of young Burton and, as all were intently listening, there sounded through the soft stillness of the night a strange, piercing cry,—the baying of a bloodhound following the trail of a person.

close with a zipper

From this reading “That’s Zip,” said his pleased owner; “he will be here in a few minutes.”