used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
allowancenounUS /əˈlaʊəns/
an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period)
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
avoidedverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪd/
past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
carrot-tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
COMPACTnounUS /ˈkɑːmpækt/
a small cosmetics case with a mirror; to be carried in a woman's purse
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
decreasingadjectiveUS /dɪˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming less or smaller
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
Dragonfel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
emissarynounUS /ˈeməseri/
someone sent on a mission to represent the interests of someone else
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
enchanternounUS /enˈtʃæntər/
a sorcerer or magician
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
at any time
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
followersnounUS /ˈfɑːloʊərz/
a group of followers or enthusiasts
From this reading Whenever he spoke to his followers their knees knocked together with fright.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
frightnounUS /fraɪt/
an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading Whenever he spoke to his followers their knees knocked together with fright.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
gleanverbUS /ɡliːn/
gather, as of natural products
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
HumanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
ill-humoredadjective
brusque and surly and forbidding
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
increasingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming greater or larger
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
a message received and understood
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Whenever he spoke to his followers their knees knocked together with fright.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading Whenever he spoke to his followers their knees knocked together with fright.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
mine-sprites
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
not any; not one
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
OctopusnounUS /ˈɑːktəpʊs/
tentacles of octopus prepared as food
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
OverprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
a human being
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
potato-skins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
promptverbUS /prɑːmpt/
give an incentive for action
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
prowlingverbUS /ˈpraʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “prowl” — move about in or as if in a predatory manner
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
sneakingadjectiveUS /ˈsniːkɪŋ/
not openly expressed
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Whenever he spoke to his followers their knees knocked together with fright.
surlyadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrli/
inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Whenever he spoke to his followers their knees knocked together with fright.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
ventedadjectiveUS /ˈventɪd/
supplied with a vent or vents for intake of air or discharge of gases
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
precisely as stated
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
VULCANnounUS /ˈvʌlkən/
(Roman mythology) god of fire and metal working; counterpart of Greek Hephaestus
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
(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 At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
at the time that
From this reading When his grotesque emissary did not put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading Whenever he spoke to his followers their knees knocked together with fright.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
which person or people
From this reading At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well avoided.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean in his prowling, sneaking manner.
working-hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and potato-skins.
