used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
(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 They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The sun already had disappeared from sight and the shadows of the evening were lengthening.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
from appearances alone
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
fearless and daring
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
the two together, not just one
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
declarationnounUS /ˌdeklərˈeɪʃən/
a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written)
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
well in the past; former
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading The sun already had disappeared from sight and the shadows of the evening were lengthening.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
divisible by two
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The sun already had disappeared from sight and the shadows of the evening were lengthening.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
fleeingverbUS /ˈfliːɪŋ/
-ing form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading He was maintaining his place by the side of his tall friend when both were fleeing from the house.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
set up or found
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
Fred's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He was maintaining his place by the side of his tall friend when both were fleeing from the house.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was maintaining his place by the side of his tall friend when both were fleeing from the house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
an instinctive motive
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
lengtheningnounUS /ˈleŋθənɪŋ/
the act of prolonging something
From this reading The sun already had disappeared from sight and the shadows of the evening were lengthening.
maintainingverbUS /meɪnˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “maintain” — cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He was maintaining his place by the side of his tall friend when both were fleeing from the house.
MeekeradjectiveUS /ˈmiːkər/
comparative of “meek” — humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
occurrencesnounUS /əˈkɜːrənsɪz/
plural of “occurrence” — an event that happens
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
try to get or reach
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading The sun already had disappeared from sight and the shadows of the evening were lengthening.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He was maintaining his place by the side of his tall friend when both were fleeing from the house.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The sun already had disappeared from sight and the shadows of the evening were lengthening.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun already had disappeared from sight and the shadows of the evening were lengthening.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading He was maintaining his place by the side of his tall friend when both were fleeing from the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Fred’s bold declaration that now he had found an explanation for the strange occurrences in the Meeker House apparently had not held good.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was maintaining his place by the side of his tall friend when both were fleeing from the house.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
at the time that
From this reading He was maintaining his place by the side of his tall friend when both were fleeing from the house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They did not even glance at each other as they did so, but moved by a common impulse both were apparently ready to seek a place of safety with all haste.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Without a word having been spoken, Fred and John instantly departed from the old house.
