used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
quickly and without warning
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sitting up with doors and windows locked and blinds drawn, drinking brandy neat.
associationnounUS /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/
a formal organization of people or groups of people
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
automaticadjectiveUS /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk/
operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading 'Know what he's doing now, or was, when I came away?
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
blindsnounUS /blaɪndz/
plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading Sitting up with doors and windows locked and blinds drawn, drinking brandy neat.
brandynounUS /ˈbrændi/
distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice
From this reading Sitting up with doors and windows locked and blinds drawn, drinking brandy neat.
lacking funds
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He can't sleep by night if sober, or without 'light in the room.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading 'Know what he's doing now, or was, when I came away?
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He can't sleep by night if sober, or without 'light in the room.
unvarying in nature
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
crawlingnounUS /ˈkrɔːlɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading 'Know what he's doing now, or was, when I came away?
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Sitting up with doors and windows locked and blinds drawn, drinking brandy neat.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Sitting up with doors and windows locked and blinds drawn, drinking brandy neat.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
the act of consuming liquids
From this reading Sitting up with doors and windows locked and blinds drawn, drinking brandy neat.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
foolishnessnounUS /ˈfuːlɪʃnəs/
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He can't sleep by night if sober, or without 'light in the room.
he's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Know what he's doing now, or was, when I came away?
hearsverbUS /hiːrz/
third-person singular of “hear” — perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'Know what he's doing now, or was, when I came away?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He can't sleep by night if sober, or without 'light in the room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He can't sleep by night if sober, or without 'light in the room.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading 'Know what he's doing now, or was, when I came away?
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He can't sleep by night if sober, or without 'light in the room.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading Sitting up with doors and windows locked and blinds drawn, drinking brandy neat.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
mumblingnounUS /ˈmʌmbəlɪŋ/
indistinct enunciation
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading Sitting up with doors and windows locked and blinds drawn, drinking brandy neat.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He can't sleep by night if sober, or without 'light in the room.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading 'Know what he's doing now, or was, when I came away?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading 'Know what he's doing now, or was, when I came away?
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He can't sleep by night if sober, or without 'light in the room.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Sitting up with doors and windows locked and blinds drawn, drinking brandy neat.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading He can't sleep by night if sober, or without 'light in the room.
slopping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading He can't sleep by night if sober, or without 'light in the room.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He can't sleep by night if sober, or without 'light in the room.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Sitting up with doors and windows locked and blinds drawn, drinking brandy neat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'Know what he's doing now, or was, when I came away?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading 'Know what he's doing now, or was, when I came away?
at the time that
From this reading 'Know what he's doing now, or was, when I came away?
whimperingverbUS /ˈwɪmpərɪŋ/
-ing form of “whimper” — cry weakly or softly
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
whippingnounUS /ˈwɪpɪŋ/
beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading If he does, he knows they will get him ... people he hears crawling up from the sea, slopping round the house, mumbling, whimpering in the dark--" He broke off abruptly, with a whisper more dreadful than a shriek--"_God_!"--and jumped to his feet, whipping the automatic from his belt.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Sitting up with doors and windows locked and blinds drawn, drinking brandy neat.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "All foolishness, of course, but 'gets on one's nerves ... constant association with man like that....
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He can't sleep by night if sober, or without 'light in the room.
