Chapter XIII · The Bolt of Lightning

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

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading To his satisfaction he saw that Giraffe, helped by Step Hen, was already scrambling to his feet, although limping some.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading To his satisfaction he saw that Giraffe, helped by Step Hen, was already scrambling to his feet, although limping some.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

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

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

a formal public statement

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading And it was in dreadful fear, then, that the scoutmaster halted, to turn hastily around.

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

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

installation from which a military force initiates operations

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

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

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading What if Giraffe had broken a leg in taking this tumble?

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

the act of grasping

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

a sudden sharp noise

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

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

From this reading And it was in dreadful fear, then, that the scoutmaster halted, to turn hastily around.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

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

From this reading To his satisfaction he saw that Giraffe, helped by Step Hen, was already scrambling to his feet, although limping some.

tallest living quadruped; having a spotted coat and small horns and very long neck and legs; of savannahs of tropical Africa

From this reading What if Giraffe had broken a leg in taking this tumble?

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

From this reading What if Giraffe had broken a leg in taking this tumble?

past form of “halt” — cause to stop

From this reading And it was in dreadful fear, then, that the scoutmaster halted, to turn hastily around.

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading And it was in dreadful fear, then, that the scoutmaster halted, to turn hastily around.

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

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading To his satisfaction he saw that Giraffe, helped by Step Hen, was already scrambling to his feet, although limping some.

adult female chicken

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

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

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading What if Giraffe had broken a leg in taking this tumble?

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

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

past form of “joke” — tell a joke; speak humorously

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle

From this reading What if Giraffe had broken a leg in taking this tumble?

staying power

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

disability of walking due to crippling of the legs or feet

From this reading To his satisfaction he saw that Giraffe, helped by Step Hen, was already scrambling to his feet, although limping some.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

many times at short intervals

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation

From this reading To his satisfaction he saw that Giraffe, helped by Step Hen, was already scrambling to his feet, although limping some.

cut with a saw

From this reading To his satisfaction he saw that Giraffe, helped by Step Hen, was already scrambling to his feet, although limping some.

the leader of a troop of Scouts

From this reading And it was in dreadful fear, then, that the scoutmaster halted, to turn hastily around.

-ing form of “scramble” — to move hurriedly

From this reading To his satisfaction he saw that Giraffe, helped by Step Hen, was already scrambling to his feet, although limping some.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading To his satisfaction he saw that Giraffe, helped by Step Hen, was already scrambling to his feet, although limping some.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

(biology) tiny fibers that are seen in cell division; the fibers radiate from two poles and meet at the equator in the middle

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading What if Giraffe had broken a leg in taking this tumble?

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

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

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

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

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He was that tall, and possessed such "spindle legs," as the boys always called them, that they often joked him on the probability of his cracking a bone when he slid to second base.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading And it was in dreadful fear, then, that the scoutmaster halted, to turn hastily around.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading What if Giraffe had broken a leg in taking this tumble?

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

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading What if Giraffe had broken a leg in taking this tumble?

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading And it was in dreadful fear, then, that the scoutmaster halted, to turn hastily around.

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

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What if Giraffe had broken a leg in taking this tumble?

at the time that

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading In the midst of such a confusion of dreadful sounds, and knowing that in another minute or so they would be overtaken by the storm, it was little wonder that Thad's heart seemed to feel a cold clutch when Step Hen burst out with that announcement.