used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
anew
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
attentivelyadverbUS /əˈtentɪvli/
with attention; in an attentive manner
From this reading I was too much shaken up to think of pursuit, so I sat still, listening attentively to the rapidly receding footsteps.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
exhale hard
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
collectverbUS /kəˈlekt/
get or gather together
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
confidentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnfədənt/
having or marked by confidence or assurance
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
earshotnounUS /ˈɪrʃɑːt/
the range within which a voice can be heard
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading I was too much shaken up to think of pursuit, so I sat still, listening attentively to the rapidly receding footsteps.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
made afraid
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
HOWARDnounUS /ˈhaʊərd/
English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
LEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading I was too much shaken up to think of pursuit, so I sat still, listening attentively to the rapidly receding footsteps.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading I was too much shaken up to think of pursuit, so I sat still, listening attentively to the rapidly receding footsteps.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
not any; not one
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
numbadjectiveUS /nʌm/
lacking sensation
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading I was too much shaken up to think of pursuit, so I sat still, listening attentively to the rapidly receding footsteps.
with speed
From this reading I was too much shaken up to think of pursuit, so I sat still, listening attentively to the rapidly receding footsteps.
recedingnounUS /rɪˈsiːdɪŋ/
a slow or gradual disappearance
From this reading I was too much shaken up to think of pursuit, so I sat still, listening attentively to the rapidly receding footsteps.
relieveverbUS /rɪˈliːv/
provide physical relief, as from pain
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
scrambledadjectiveUS /ˈskræmbəld/
thrown together in a disorderly fashion
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading I was too much shaken up to think of pursuit, so I sat still, listening attentively to the rapidly receding footsteps.
sickeningadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkənɪŋ/
causing or able to cause nausea
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I was too much shaken up to think of pursuit, so I sat still, listening attentively to the rapidly receding footsteps.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
not in physical motion
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading The next instant a dark figure not ten feet before me scrambled up from the grass and dashed out of the gate.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
in or at that place or location
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I was too much shaken up to think of pursuit, so I sat still, listening attentively to the rapidly receding footsteps.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading LEN HOWARD AGAIN For several moments I lay still, struggling to collect my thoughts.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading I was too much shaken up to think of pursuit, so I sat still, listening attentively to the rapidly receding footsteps.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Then, pressing my hand to my head to relieve the numb, sickening sensation produced by the blow, I sat up and stared about me in the darkness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was too much shaken up to think of pursuit, so I sat still, listening attentively to the rapidly receding footsteps.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From the sound of these I felt confident that there were but two persons; and they were certainly badly frightened, for they lost no time in covering ground, and were in a few seconds far down the road, out of earshot.
