used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading Then, with finger on trigger, he awaited the coming of the foe.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading It was a tense moment and the boy's heart beat fast.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
betokened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading It was a tense moment and the boy's heart beat fast.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Then, with finger on trigger, he awaited the coming of the foe.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/
be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
Donald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading It was a tense moment and the boy's heart beat fast.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading Then, with finger on trigger, he awaited the coming of the foe.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading Then, with finger on trigger, he awaited the coming of the foe.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
fuseverbUS /fjuːz/
mix together different elements
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, with finger on trigger, he awaited the coming of the foe.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It was a tense moment and the boy's heart beat fast.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
hingesnounUS /ˈhɪndʒɪz/
plural of “hinge” — a joint that holds two parts together so that one can swing relative to the other
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
hissverbUS /hɪs/
make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
a particular point in time
From this reading It was a tense moment and the boy's heart beat fast.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A NIGHT ATTACK.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then, with finger on trigger, he awaited the coming of the foe.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
pationounUS /ˈpætioʊ/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
RealizingverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “realize” — be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
situationsnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “situation” — the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
snakenounUS /sneɪk/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
splinteredverbUS /ˈsplɪntərd/
past form of “splinter” — withdraw from an organization or communion
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
tensenounUS /tens/
a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
From this reading It was a tense moment and the boy's heart beat fast.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, with finger on trigger, he awaited the coming of the foe.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
triggerverbUS /ˈtrɪɡər/
put in motion or move to act
From this reading Then, with finger on trigger, he awaited the coming of the foe.
hard to endure
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a tense moment and the boy's heart beat fast.
in or at the place that
From this reading He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, with finger on trigger, he awaited the coming of the foe.
