used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
comanounUS /ˈkoʊmə/
a state of deep and often prolonged unconsciousness; usually the result of disease or injury
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
a state at a particular time
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
intentionally conceived
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
doubledadjectiveUS /ˈdʌbəld/
twice as great or many
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
drippingnounUS /ˈdrɪpɪŋ/
a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
droopedverbUS /druːpt/
past form of “droop” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
dulledadjectiveUS /dʌld/
having lost or been caused to lose interest because of overexposure
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
efficientadjectiveUS /ɪˈfɪʃənt/
being effective without wasting time or effort or expense
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
excessnounUS /ˈekses/
a quantity much larger than is needed
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
exploringverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
fettering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
footholdnounUS /ˈfʊthoʊld/
an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
FreedverbUS /friːd/
past form of “free” — grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
a young female
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
groannounUS /ɡroʊn/
an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
gulchnounUS /ɡʌltʃ/
a narrow gorge with a stream running through it
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
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 Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
lidsnounUS /lɪdz/
plural of “lid” — either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
a particular point in time
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
outstandingadjectiveUS /ˌaʊtˈstændɪŋ/
distinguished from others in excellence
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
pallidadjectiveUS /ˈpæləd/
abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
posturenounUS /ˈpɑːstʃər/
the arrangement of the body and its limbs
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
pupilsnounUS /ˈpjuːpəlz/
plural of “pupil” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
on the contrary
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
shiftedverbUS /ˈʃɪftɪd/
past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
shynessnounUS /ˈʃaɪnəs/
a feeling of fear of embarrassment
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
templesnounUS /ˈtempəlz/
plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, dropping to her knees, she shifted the doubled body into a leaning posture, straightened the limbs, and began exploring with efficient fingers for broken bones.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Freed from her fettering excess of shyness by his condition, the girl stepped surely from foothold to foothold until she reached his side.
veinsnounUS /veɪnz/
plural of “vein” — a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His lids drooped over his eyes, hiding the pupils; and his cheeks were pallid, with outstanding veins above the temples.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She stood for a moment with one hand on the dripping walls of rock, looking down while her hair fell about her face.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Although from the man in the gulch came a low groan mingled with his breathing, it was not such a sound as comes from fully conscious lips, but rather that of a brain dulled into coma.
