used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A strong light seemed to be shining through a screen.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, disappearing as quickly as it had come to view.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading At first it was stationary, its appearance preventing them from guessing its nature.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, disappearing as quickly as it had come to view.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, disappearing as quickly as it had come to view.
disappearingnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrɪŋ/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading It was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, disappearing as quickly as it had come to view.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading It was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, disappearing as quickly as it had come to view.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first it was stationary, its appearance preventing them from guessing its nature.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, disappearing as quickly as it had come to view.
made afraid
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At first it was stationary, its appearance preventing them from guessing its nature.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading It was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, disappearing as quickly as it had come to view.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
From this reading It was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, disappearing as quickly as it had come to view.
guessingnounUS /ˈɡesɪŋ/
an estimate based on little or no information
From this reading At first it was stationary, its appearance preventing them from guessing its nature.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, disappearing as quickly as it had come to view.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At first it was stationary, its appearance preventing them from guessing its nature.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading At first it was stationary, its appearance preventing them from guessing its nature.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A strong light seemed to be shining through a screen.
McGovern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading At first it was stationary, its appearance preventing them from guessing its nature.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
a human being
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
pickingnounUS /ˈpɪkɪŋ/
the quantity of a crop that is harvested
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
preventingverbUS /prɪˈventɪŋ/
-ing form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading At first it was stationary, its appearance preventing them from guessing its nature.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
with speed
From this reading It was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, disappearing as quickly as it had come to view.
retreatingverbUS /riˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
screennounUS /skriːn/
a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing
From this reading A strong light seemed to be shining through a screen.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A strong light seemed to be shining through a screen.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading A strong light seemed to be shining through a screen.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
stationaryadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪʃəneri/
standing still
From this reading At first it was stationary, its appearance preventing them from guessing its nature.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading A strong light seemed to be shining through a screen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A strong light seemed to be shining through a screen.
male cat
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading It was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, disappearing as quickly as it had come to view.
a vivid mental image
From this reading It was grotesque and gigantic, and flitted across their field of vision, disappearing as quickly as it had come to view.
Wagstaff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At first it was stationary, its appearance preventing them from guessing its nature.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
(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 HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
showing curiosity
From this reading While they stood silent, wondering and frightened, on the point of retreating, the shadow of a person glided in front of the light.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading HOST AND GUESTS Tom Wagstaff and Jim McGovern might well be puzzled at the sight which greeted them while picking their way through the wood.
