used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Flames were leaping from a dozen homes along the turnpike.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading They fell across the doorsteps and lay where they fell.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
BabylonnounUS /ˈbæbəlɑːn/
the chief city of ancient Mesopotamia and capital of the ancient kingdom of Babylonia
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
brutaladjectiveUS /ˈbruːtəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
deepeningnounUS /ˈdiːpənɪŋ/
a process of becoming deeper and more profound
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
doorstepsnounUS /ˈdɔːrsteps/
plural of “doorstep” — the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway
From this reading They fell across the doorsteps and lay where they fell.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Flames were leaping from a dozen homes along the turnpike.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
to come or go into
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading They fell across the doorsteps and lay where they fell.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
start firing a weapon
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading Flames were leaping from a dozen homes along the turnpike.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Flames were leaping from a dozen homes along the turnpike.
gasolinenounUS /ˈɡæsəliːn/
a volatile flammable mixture of hydrocarbons (hexane and heptane and octane etc.) derived from petroleum; used mainly as a fuel in internal-combustion engines
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
hedgerows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
any place of pain and turmoil
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
homesnounUS /hoʊmz/
plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time
From this reading Flames were leaping from a dozen homes along the turnpike.
intense and profound fear
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
hurledverbUS /hɜːrld/
past form of “hurl” — throw forcefully
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading They fell across the doorsteps and lay where they fell.
leapingnounUS /ˈliːpɪŋ/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading Flames were leaping from a dozen homes along the turnpike.
set afire or burning
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
the force of workers available
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
occupantsnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənts/
plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
outlinedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnd/
showing clearly the outline or profile or boundary
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
quartnounUS /kwɔːrt/
a United States liquid unit equal to 32 fluid ounces; four quarts equal one gallon
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
soldierynoun
soldiers collectively
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
starkadjectiveUS /stɑːrk/
devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
turnpikenounUS /ˈtɜːrnpaɪk/
(from 16th to 19th centuries) gates set across a road to prevent passage until a toll had been paid
From this reading Flames were leaping from a dozen homes along the turnpike.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
Vassar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
volleysnounUS /ˈvɑːliz/
plural of “volley” — rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading A dark figure approached the open door, hurled a quart of gasoline inside, lighted his fire ball, and walked away, his black form outlined in the night against the red glare of hell.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Flames were leaping from a dozen homes along the turnpike.
at the time that
From this reading The twilight was deepening on scenes of stark horror in the streets of Babylon when Vassar slipped through the field and along the hedgerows toward the center of the town.
in or at the place that
From this reading They fell across the doorsteps and lay where they fell.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading He saw the brutal soldiery enter a pretty lawn, call out the occupants and as they emerged fire in volleys on old men, women and children.
