used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The storm, of which the violet rainfall had been a prelude, gathered blackly over the hills.
AfricanadjectiveUS /ˈæfrəkən/
of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Ebon clouds lowered upon us as we came racing to the gates.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The storm, of which the violet rainfall had been a prelude, gathered blackly over the hills.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
blackly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The storm, of which the violet rainfall had been a prelude, gathered blackly over the hills.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
cagesnounUS /ˈkeɪdʒɪz/
plural of “cage” — an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Ebon clouds lowered upon us as we came racing to the gates.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading Ebon clouds lowered upon us as we came racing to the gates.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
deathlyadjectiveUS /ˈdeθli/
having the physical appearance of death
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
Ebonadjective
of a very dark black
From this reading Ebon clouds lowered upon us as we came racing to the gates.
eccentricadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsentrɪk/
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
at any time
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading Ebon clouds lowered upon us as we came racing to the gates.
brought together in one place
From this reading The storm, of which the violet rainfall had been a prelude, gathered blackly over the hills.
depressingly dark
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
Graywater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The storm, of which the violet rainfall had been a prelude, gathered blackly over the hills.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The storm, of which the violet rainfall had been a prelude, gathered blackly over the hills.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
howlingnounUS /ˈhaʊlɪŋ/
a long loud emotional utterance
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
indescribablyadverb
to an inexpressible degree
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
KennedynounUS /ˈkenədi/
35th President of the United States; established the Peace Corps; assassinated in Dallas (1917-1963)
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
leaptverbUS /lept/
inflected form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
leopardsnounUS /ˈlepərdz/
plural of “leopard” — the pelt of a leopard
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
Lionel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
lionessnoun
a female lion
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading Ebon clouds lowered upon us as we came racing to the gates.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The storm, of which the violet rainfall had been a prelude, gathered blackly over the hills.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
preludenounUS /ˈpreɪluːd/
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
From this reading The storm, of which the violet rainfall had been a prelude, gathered blackly over the hills.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
questioninglyadverb
in a curious and questioning manner
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
racingnounUS /ˈreɪsɪŋ/
the sport of engaging in contests of speed
From this reading Ebon clouds lowered upon us as we came racing to the gates.
rainfallnounUS /ˈreɪnfɔːl/
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The storm, of which the violet rainfall had been a prelude, gathered blackly over the hills.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
roarsnounUS /rɔːrz/
plural of “roar” — a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
term of address for a man
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
spinningnounUS /ˈspɪnɪŋ/
creating thread
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The storm, of which the violet rainfall had been a prelude, gathered blackly over the hills.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SHADOW ARMY The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my memory for ever.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Ebon clouds lowered upon us as we came racing to the gates.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ebon clouds lowered upon us as we came racing to the gates.
violetnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading The storm, of which the violet rainfall had been a prelude, gathered blackly over the hills.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then the big car was spinning around the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably gloomy and ominous.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Ebon clouds lowered upon us as we came racing to the gates.
wherein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The storm, of which the violet rainfall had been a prelude, gathered blackly over the hills.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant cages wherein Sir Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host questioningly.
