quickly and without warning
From this reading The sound abruptly ceased when he thrust in his head.
alleywaynounUS /ˈæliweɪ/
a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
Bateman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
bondsmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading The sound abruptly ceased when he thrust in his head.
choppingverbUS /ˈtʃɑːpɪŋ/
inflected form of “chop” — cut into pieces
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
clotheslinenoun
a cord on which clothes are hung to dry
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
friend'snounUS /frendz/
possessive form of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The sound abruptly ceased when he thrust in his head.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
kindlingnounUS /ˈkɪndlɪŋ/
material for starting a fire
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
engage in
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
Pete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
poundverbUS /paʊnd/
hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
splittingadjectiveUS /ˈsplɪtɪŋ/
resembling a sound of violent tearing as of something ripped apart or lightning splitting a tree
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
not in physical motion
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
push forcefully
From this reading The sound abruptly ceased when he thrust in his head.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
the act of using
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
washverbUS /wɑːʃ/
clean with some chemical process
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
at the time that
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
