adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
audacitynounUS /ɑːˈdæs.ə.t̬i/
A willingness to take bold risks; insolent and daring boldness that defies all authority.
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
ballnounUS /bɔːl/
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.
banknounUS /bæŋk/
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.
beatingnounUS /ˈbiːtɪŋ/
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
blowverbUS /bloʊ/
exhale hard
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
bodynounUS /ˈbɑːdi/
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
boundadjectiveUS /baʊnd/
confined by bonds
From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.
boundedadjectiveUS /ˈbaʊndəd/
having the limits or boundaries established
From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
buckleverbUS /ˈbʌkəl/
fasten with a buckle or buckles
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
CHILDRENnounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
chokingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃoʊ.kɪŋ/
Causing difficulty in breathing.
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
comprehendedadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːmprɪˈhendɪd/
fully understood or grasped
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
deernounUS /dɪr/
distinguished from Bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
devilishadjectiveUS /ˈdevlɪʃ/
showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
dischargedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒd/
having lost your job
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
drivenadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪvən/
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
ErienounUS /ˈɪri/
a member of an Iroquoian people formerly living on the south shore of Lake Erie in northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania and western New York
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
flatadjectiveUS /flæt/
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
fragmentsnounUS /ˈfræɡmənts/
plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
franticadjectiveUS /ˈfræntɪk/
excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
fringesnounUS /ˈfrɪndʒɪz/
plural of “fringe” — the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
HIDDENadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdən/
not accessible to view
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
incredibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkredəbəl/
beyond belief or understanding
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
kneesnounUS /niːz/
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.
knockedverbUS /nɑːkt/
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
leapedverbUS /lept/
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
muzzlenounUS /ˈmʌzəl/
the open circular discharging end of a gun
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
partlyadverbUS /ˈpɑːrtli/
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
pouchnounUS /paʊtʃ/
a small or medium size container for holding or carrying things
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
pouch-flap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
powdernounUS /ˈpaʊdər/
a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
racingnounUS /ˈreɪsɪŋ/
the sport of engaging in contests of speed
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
ranverbUS /ræn/
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.
ribsnounUS /rɪbz/
plural of “rib” — support resembling the rib of an animal
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
rifleverbUS /ˈraɪfəl/
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
runningadjectiveUS /ˈrʌnɪŋ/
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
sandnounUS /sænd/
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.
scorchingadjectiveUS /ˈskɔːrtʃɪŋ/
hot and dry enough to burn or parch a surface
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
shovedverbUS /ʃʌvd/
past form of “shove” — come into rough contact with while moving
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
silentlyadverbUS /ˈsaɪləntli/
without speaking
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
slippingadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpɪŋ/
moving as on a slippery surface
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
smokenounUS /smoʊk/
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
smokingnounUS /ˈsmoʊkɪŋ/
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.
smooth-bore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
speedverbUS /spiːd/
move hurridly
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.
stunnedadjectiveUS /stʌnd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.
swiftnessnounUS /ˈswɪftnəs/
a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
swivelverbUS /ˈswɪvəl/
turn on a pivot
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading And I swayed to my knees, to my feet, and staggered after them, beating out the fire on my smoking fringes as I ran.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
thrums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The Erie took the bank at one bound, struck the river sand like a ball, and bounded on.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading As, partly stunned, I lay on the moss, choking in the powder smoke, my head still ringing with the crash of the old smooth-bore, man after man leaped over me like frantic deer, racing at full speed toward the river.
trade-rifle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
unpreparedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnpriˈperd/
without preparation; not prepared for
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
utterlyadverbUS /ˈʌtərli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
violentlyadverbUS /ˈvaɪələntli/
in a violent manner
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE HIDDEN CHILDREN So silently, suddenly, and with such incredible swiftness had this happened, and so utterly unprepared were we for this devilish audacity, that the Erie had shoved his trade-rifle against my ribs and fired before anybody comprehended what he was about.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading But he had driven the muzzle so violently against me that the blow knocked me breathless and flat on my face, and his rifle, slipping along with the running swivel of my pouch buckle, was discharged, blowing the pouch-flap to fragments, and setting fire to my thrums without even scorching my body.
