used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
abackadverbUS /əˈbæk/
having the wind against the forward side of the sails
From this reading The little fiend was surveying me blankly, taken aback at the sudden shot.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
bladenounUS /bleɪd/
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
blanklyadverbUS /ˈblæŋkli/
in a blank and uncomprehending manner
From this reading The little fiend was surveying me blankly, taken aback at the sudden shot.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
buttverbUS /bʌt/
lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The fingers of his left hand were twitching, splayed out as if from fear, and his mouth was open showing his yellow teeth.
fiendnounUS /fiːnd/
a cruel wicked and inhuman person
From this reading The little fiend was surveying me blankly, taken aback at the sudden shot.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading The fingers of his left hand were twitching, splayed out as if from fear, and his mouth was open showing his yellow teeth.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
coins made of gold
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The fingers of his left hand were twitching, splayed out as if from fear, and his mouth was open showing his yellow teeth.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
holsternounUS /ˈhoʊlstər/
a sheath (usually leather) for carrying a handgun
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
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 He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The fingers of his left hand were twitching, splayed out as if from fear, and his mouth was open showing his yellow teeth.
staying power
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
limplyadverb
without rigidity
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The little fiend was surveying me blankly, taken aback at the sudden shot.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The little fiend was surveying me blankly, taken aback at the sudden shot.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The fingers of his left hand were twitching, splayed out as if from fear, and his mouth was open showing his yellow teeth.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
not any; not one
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The fingers of his left hand were twitching, splayed out as if from fear, and his mouth was open showing his yellow teeth.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The fingers of his left hand were twitching, splayed out as if from fear, and his mouth was open showing his yellow teeth.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
Petrak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
PIRATESnounUS /ˈpaɪrəts/
plural of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
pistolnounUS /ˈpɪstəl/
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
plungingverbUS /ˈplʌndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
shoenounUS /ʃuː/
footwear shaped to fit the foot (below the ankle) with a flexible upper of leather or plastic and a sole and heel of heavier material
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The little fiend was surveying me blankly, taken aback at the sudden shot.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading The fingers of his left hand were twitching, splayed out as if from fear, and his mouth was open showing his yellow teeth.
splayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fingers of his left hand were twitching, splayed out as if from fear, and his mouth was open showing his yellow teeth.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading The little fiend was surveying me blankly, taken aback at the sudden shot.
surveyingnounUS /sərˈveɪɪŋ/
the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map
From this reading The little fiend was surveying me blankly, taken aback at the sudden shot.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The little fiend was surveying me blankly, taken aback at the sudden shot.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading The fingers of his left hand were twitching, splayed out as if from fear, and his mouth was open showing his yellow teeth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
the upper part of anything
From this reading I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holster he had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reach for it.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
twitchingnounUS /ˈtwɪtʃɪŋ/
a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition
From this reading The fingers of his left hand were twitching, splayed out as if from fear, and his mouth was open showing his yellow teeth.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented my pistol at him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wide apart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limply before him.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The fingers of his left hand were twitching, splayed out as if from fear, and his mouth was open showing his yellow teeth.
