used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PLOT OVERHEARD.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
agitationnounUS /ˌædʒəˈteɪʃən/
a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
from appearances alone
From this reading Apparently, however, his ruse succeeded.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Say, didn't that boy move?"--the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
audibleadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəbəl/
heard or perceptible by the ear
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading The men were satisfied that he was wrapped in slumber, for, with a growl, the one that had bent over him said:
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
a youthful male person
From this reading "Say, didn't that boy move?"--the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
Carl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Say, didn't that boy move?"--the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Say, didn't that boy move?"--the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
feignedadjectiveUS /feɪnd/
not genuine
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The men were satisfied that he was wrapped in slumber, for, with a growl, the one that had bent over him said:
growlnounUS /ɡraʊl/
the sound of growling (as made by animals)
From this reading The men were satisfied that he was wrapped in slumber, for, with a growl, the one that had bent over him said:
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The men were satisfied that he was wrapped in slumber, for, with a growl, the one that had bent over him said:
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
Herc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Say, didn't that boy move?"--the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The men were satisfied that he was wrapped in slumber, for, with a growl, the one that had bent over him said:
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Apparently, however, his ruse succeeded.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Say, didn't that boy move?"--the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
a boy or man
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
the force of workers available
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Say, didn't that boy move?"--the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The men were satisfied that he was wrapped in slumber, for, with a growl, the one that had bent over him said:
OVERHEARDverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading A PLOT OVERHEARD.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
PLOTnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading A PLOT OVERHEARD.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading "Say, didn't that boy move?"--the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading "Say, didn't that boy move?"--the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading "Say, didn't that boy move?"--the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
rusenounUS /ruːz/
a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)
From this reading Apparently, however, his ruse succeeded.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The men were satisfied that he was wrapped in slumber, for, with a growl, the one that had bent over him said:
filled with satisfaction
From this reading The men were satisfied that he was wrapped in slumber, for, with a growl, the one that had bent over him said:
express in words
From this reading "Say, didn't that boy move?"--the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
slumbernounUS /ˈslʌmbər/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
not in physical motion
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading Apparently, however, his ruse succeeded.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Say, didn't that boy move?"--the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Say, didn't that boy move?"--the prisoner that Herc knew as Carl put the question.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The men were satisfied that he was wrapped in slumber, for, with a growl, the one that had bent over him said:
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading The lad heard rapid footsteps pace across the narrow cell, and felt the hot breath of one of the men in his ear as he lay still and feigned slumber as best he could, although his heart beat so wildly he was sure its agitation must have been audible to the two men.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The men were satisfied that he was wrapped in slumber, for, with a growl, the one that had bent over him said:
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading The men were satisfied that he was wrapped in slumber, for, with a growl, the one that had bent over him said:
