used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Then there happened what he was never able to explain.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His hands were still about her for a moment after she was in the room.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading His hands were still about her for a moment after she was in the room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
crashedverbUS /kræʃt/
past form of “crash” — fall or come down violently
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
Deane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
electricaladjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪkəl/
relating to or concerned with electricity
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading Then there happened what he was never able to explain.
exultationnoun
a feeling of extreme joy
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His hands were still about her for a moment after she was in the room.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
generatedverbUS /ˈdʒenəreɪtəd/
past form of “generate” — bring into existence
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading His hands were still about her for a moment after she was in the room.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
harmlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrmləs/
not causing or capable of causing harm
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then there happened what he was never able to explain.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His hands were still about her for a moment after she was in the room.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His hands were still about her for a moment after she was in the room.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
incomprehensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋkɑːmprəˈhensɪbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
kindleverbUS /ˈkɪndəl/
catch fire
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
a particular point in time
From this reading His hands were still about her for a moment after she was in the room.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
outburstnounUS /ˈaʊtbɜːrst/
an unrestrained expression of emotion
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
by chance
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
participate in games or sport
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
rockedverbUS /rɑːkt/
past form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His hands were still about her for a moment after she was in the room.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
not in physical motion
From this reading His hands were still about her for a moment after she was in the room.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then there happened what he was never able to explain.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Then there happened what he was never able to explain.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE EFFECT OF A STORM Deane was never quite sure how it had happened.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His hands were still about her for a moment after she was in the room.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Then there happened what he was never able to explain.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was perhaps a harmless instinct enough which caused her to draw a little nearer still to him with fear, as the thunder crashed overhead and the ground beneath their feet rocked.
but in spite of that
From this reading The sudden crash of the storm, the vivid play of the lightning in the darkened room, the curious exultation which any outburst of nature seems to kindle in the forgotten places, had somehow generated a curious excitement--something electrical, incomprehensible, yet felt by both of them.
