used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The woman's onslaught had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Grace was entirely unable to offer any defense.
assailant'snounUS /əˈseɪlənts/
possessive form of “assailant” — someone who attacks
From this reading For a few moments she struggled violently, striving with both her hands to break her assailant's hold upon her, but her efforts were in vain.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
a line of approach
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The woman's onslaught had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Grace was entirely unable to offer any defense.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Slowly she realized that she was being choked into unconsciousness.
the two together, not just one
From this reading For a few moments she struggled violently, striving with both her hands to break her assailant's hold upon her, but her efforts were in vain.
terminate
From this reading For a few moments she struggled violently, striving with both her hands to break her assailant's hold upon her, but her efforts were in vain.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
chokedadjectiveUS /tʃoʊkt/
stopped up; clogged up
From this reading Slowly she realized that she was being choked into unconsciousness.
clutchingverbUS /ˈklʌtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
ColumbusnounUS /kəˈlʌmbəs/
the state capital of Ohio; located in the center of the state; site of Ohio State University
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
defensenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
From this reading The woman's onslaught had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Grace was entirely unable to offer any defense.
give a description of
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
Duvall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading For a few moments she struggled violently, striving with both her hands to break her assailant's hold upon her, but her efforts were in vain.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The woman's onslaught had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Grace was entirely unable to offer any defense.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading For a few moments she struggled violently, striving with both her hands to break her assailant's hold upon her, but her efforts were in vain.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
foolishlyadverbUS /ˈfuːlɪʃli/
without good sense or judgment
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
set up or found
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading For a few moments she struggled violently, striving with both her hands to break her assailant's hold upon her, but her efforts were in vain.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading For a few moments she struggled violently, striving with both her hands to break her assailant's hold upon her, but her efforts were in vain.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For a few moments she struggled violently, striving with both her hands to break her assailant's hold upon her, but her efforts were in vain.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Slowly she realized that she was being choked into unconsciousness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading For a few moments she struggled violently, striving with both her hands to break her assailant's hold upon her, but her efforts were in vain.
MortonnounUS /ˈmɔːrtən/
United States jazz musician who moved from ragtime to New Orleans jazz (1885-1941)
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
muscularadjectiveUS /ˈmʌskjələr/
of or relating to or consisting of muscle
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
of an obscure nature
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
Ninety-sixth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading The woman's onslaught had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Grace was entirely unable to offer any defense.
on one occasion
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
onslaughtnounUS /ˈɔːnslɔːt/
a sudden and severe onset of trouble
From this reading The woman's onslaught had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Grace was entirely unable to offer any defense.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Slowly she realized that she was being choked into unconsciousness.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Slowly she realized that she was being choked into unconsciousness.
smotheredadjectiveUS /ˈsmʌðərd/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The woman's onslaught had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Grace was entirely unable to offer any defense.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
strivingnounUS /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading For a few moments she struggled violently, striving with both her hands to break her assailant's hold upon her, but her efforts were in vain.
struggledverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəld/
past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading For a few moments she struggled violently, striving with both her hands to break her assailant's hold upon her, but her efforts were in vain.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading The woman's onslaught had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Grace was entirely unable to offer any defense.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The woman's onslaught had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Grace was entirely unable to offer any defense.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
tracedverbUS /treɪst/
past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading The woman's onslaught had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Grace was entirely unable to offer any defense.
unconsciousnessnounUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsnɪs/
a state lacking normal awareness of the self or environment
From this reading Slowly she realized that she was being choked into unconsciousness.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading The woman's onslaught had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Grace was entirely unable to offer any defense.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading For a few moments she struggled violently, striving with both her hands to break her assailant's hold upon her, but her efforts were in vain.
in a violent manner
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The woman's onslaught had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Grace was entirely unable to offer any defense.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For a few moments she struggled violently, striving with both her hands to break her assailant's hold upon her, but her efforts were in vain.
at the time that
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
which person or people
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her cries for help had been smothered at once and with the woman's thin but muscular fingers clutching at her throat, she found herself forced violently back upon a low couch that stood immediately behind her.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The woman's onslaught had been so sudden, so unexpected, that Grace was entirely unable to offer any defense.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Grace Duvall when, after having traced the mysterious woman who had attacked Ruth Morton, to the flat at Columbus Avenue and Ninety-sixth Street, she had foolishly entered the place, and allowed herself to be attacked.
