used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading That moment of indecision gave them time for forming a plan, and gaining a start upon their pursuer.
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading That moment of indecision gave them time for forming a plan, and gaining a start upon their pursuer.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading That moment of indecision gave them time for forming a plan, and gaining a start upon their pursuer.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
Hendrik
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The pit! the pit!" shouted Hendrik.
indecision in speech or action
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
indecisionnounUS /ˌɪndɪˈsɪʒən/
doubt concerning two or more possible alternatives or courses of action
From this reading That moment of indecision gave them time for forming a plan, and gaining a start upon their pursuer.
instant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
overtakenverbUS /ˈoʊvərteɪkən/
inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
pitnounUS /pɪt/
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading "The pit! the pit!" shouted Hendrik.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading That moment of indecision gave them time for forming a plan, and gaining a start upon their pursuer.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
pursueverbUS /pərˈsuː/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first.
pursuernounUS /pərˈsuːər/
a person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture
From this reading That moment of indecision gave them time for forming a plan, and gaining a start upon their pursuer.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading "Ride for the pit!"
riskedverbUS /rɪskt/
past form of “risk” — expose to a chance of loss or damage
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading "The pit! the pit!" shouted Hendrik.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading That moment of indecision gave them time for forming a plan, and gaining a start upon their pursuer.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That moment of indecision gave them time for forming a plan, and gaining a start upon their pursuer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading That moment of indecision gave them time for forming a plan, and gaining a start upon their pursuer.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading That moment of indecision gave them time for forming a plan, and gaining a start upon their pursuer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first.
undecidedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈsaɪdɪd/
not brought to a conclusion; subject to further thought
From this reading For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading That moment of indecision gave them time for forming a plan, and gaining a start upon their pursuer.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For a moment it stopped, as if undecided which to pursue first.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had the three gone in the same direction, there probably would not have been an instant's hesitation, and one of them would have risked being overtaken.
