AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
attitudenounUS /ˈætətuːd/
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
beatverbUS /biːt/
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
bloodnounUS /blʌd/
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
BOOKnounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
broad-shoulderedadjective
having broad shoulders
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
burningnounUS /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of burning something
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
cladadjectiveUS /klæd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
coatnounUS /koʊt/
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
cooladjectiveUS /kuːl/
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
distinctlyadverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋktli/
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
drummingnounUS /ˈdrʌmɪŋ/
the act of playing drums
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
fallenadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlən/
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
fasteradverbUS /ˈfæstər/
more quickly
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
fitverbUS /fɪt/
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
footnounUS /fʊt/
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For what?—for whom?
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
gazingverbUS /ˈɡeɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
hammernounUS /ˈhæmər/
the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
hearverbUS /hiːr/
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
HollowadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːloʊ/
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
hotadjectiveUS /hɑːt/
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
leaningadjectiveUS /ˈliːnɪŋ/
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
loudadjectiveUS /laʊd/
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
neareradverbUS /ˈnɪrər/
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
passiveadjectiveUS /ˈpæsɪv/
lacking in energy or will
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
scarcelyadverbUS /ˈskersli/
only a very short time before
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
shiveredverbUS /ˈʃɪvərd/
past form of “shiver” — tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
shooknounUS /ʃʊk/
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
shortishadjective
somewhat short
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
stiflingnounUS /ˈstaɪflɪŋ/
forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
templesnounUS /ˈtempəlz/
plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Very cautiously I began creeping nearer the passive figure, while the hammer beat so loud that it seemed he must hear it where he stood: a shortish, broad-shouldered figure, clad in a blue coat.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
throbbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
treenounUS /triː/
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
VIRGILnounUS /ˈvɜːrdʒəl/
a Roman poet; author of the epic poem “Aeneid” (70-19 BC)
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
waitsnounUS /weɪts/
plural of “wait” — time during which some action is awaited
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE VIRGIL BOOK A man was leaning in the shadow of a tree, looking down into the Hollow.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For what?—for whom?
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading I could not see him very distinctly because, though evening had scarcely fallen, the shadows, where he stood, were very dense, but he was gazing down into the Hollow in the attitude of one who waits.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For what?—for whom?
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading A sudden fit of shivering shook me from head to foot, and, while I yet shivered, I grew burning hot; the blood throbbed at my temples, the small hammer was drumming much faster now, and the cool night air seemed to be stifling me.
