used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED QUERY.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
eagerly desirous
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading How he longed to descend through the scuttle and take part in the stirring events that must soon be under way there!
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
ComanchenounUS /kəˈmæntʃi/
a member of the Shoshonean people who formerly lived between Wyoming and the Mexican border but are now chiefly in Oklahoma
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
descendverbUS /dɪˈsend/
move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading How he longed to descend through the scuttle and take part in the stirring events that must soon be under way there!
devotingverbUS /dɪˈvoʊtɪŋ/
-ing form of “devote” — give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading How he longed to descend through the scuttle and take part in the stirring events that must soon be under way there!
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
obtain
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
the act of departing
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he longed to descend through the scuttle and take part in the stirring events that must soon be under way there!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
indistinctadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt/
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
inmatesnounUS /ˈɪnmeɪts/
plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
longedverbUS /lɔːŋd/
past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading How he longed to descend through the scuttle and take part in the stirring events that must soon be under way there!
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
not in physical motion
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading How he longed to descend through the scuttle and take part in the stirring events that must soon be under way there!
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading How he longed to descend through the scuttle and take part in the stirring events that must soon be under way there!
QUERYnounUS /ˈkwiːri/
an instance of questioning
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED QUERY.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
rustlingnounUS /ˈrʌslɪŋ/
the stealing of cattle
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
scuttleverbUS /ˈskʌtəl/
to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
Shirril
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
in the near future
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading How he longed to descend through the scuttle and take part in the stirring events that must soon be under way there!
carry out
From this reading How he longed to descend through the scuttle and take part in the stirring events that must soon be under way there!
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
in or at that place or location
From this reading How he longed to descend through the scuttle and take part in the stirring events that must soon be under way there!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading How he longed to descend through the scuttle and take part in the stirring events that must soon be under way there!
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
hard to endure
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading How he longed to descend through the scuttle and take part in the stirring events that must soon be under way there!
not expected or anticipated
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED QUERY.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The indistinct rustling that had awakened his hope soon ceased, and he was compelled to believe the Comanche had given up his intention of trying to gain a stealthy shot at him and was now devoting himself to the inmates of the dwelling.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading As long as Captain Shirril stayed near the scuttle, he could not command a view of the entire roof of his cabin.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading How he longed to descend through the scuttle and take part in the stirring events that must soon be under way there!
used to ask for information about something
From this reading His interest in what was going on below made him anxious to do this, but he was too alive to his own danger to remain motionless for more than a few minutes at a time.
