used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
brilliancenounUS /ˈbrɪljəns/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
embersnounUS /ˈembərz/
plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
EnglishmannounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
fastnessnounUS /ˈfæstnəs/
a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
fednounUS /fed/
any federal law-enforcement officer
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
start firing a weapon
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
foetidadjective
offensively malodorous
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
goadedadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊdɪd/
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
gustnounUS /ɡʌst/
a strong current of air
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
hideousadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdiəs/
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
temporary military shelter
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was night now.
leaptverbUS /lept/
inflected form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was night now.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was night now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
ragsnounUS /ræɡz/
plural of “rag” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
ramshackleadjectiveUS /ˈræmʃækəl/
in deplorable condition
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
cut with a saw
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
shriekingnounUS /ˈʃriːkɪŋ/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
smoulderingadjective
showing scarcely suppressed anger
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
spectrely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
in the direction of
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
TristramnounUS /ˈtrɪstrəm/
(Middle Ages) the nephew of the king of Cornwall who (according to legend) fell in love with his uncle's bride (Iseult) after they mistakenly drank a love potion that left them eternally in love with each other
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was night now.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A smouldering fire from behind the first hut threw up a sullen glow against which the low, ramshackle building stood out spectrely.
wild-eyedadjective
appearing extremely agitated
From this reading A gaunt, naked figure crouched near the hideous embers, and, turning as though to see whence the wind came, saw the Englishman, and leapt up, wild-eyed, and fled, shrieking, into the black fastness of the village.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Tristram passed it, and a gust of foetid wind goaded the flames to a sudden brilliance, so that he saw upon what it was they fed themselves.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He got up and straightened out her poor body and covered her with her rags, and went on towards the village.
