used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY The Hardy boys were tense with a realization of their peril.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But for the folds of silk that hung down over the opening they would certainly have been seen.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading “Perhaps I’d better bring it up too.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY The Hardy boys were tense with a realization of their peril.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading “Perhaps I’d better bring it up too.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But for the folds of silk that hung down over the opening they would certainly have been seen.
put or send forth
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading But for the folds of silk that hung down over the opening they would certainly have been seen.
the act of discovering something
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY The Hardy boys were tense with a realization of their peril.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But for the folds of silk that hung down over the opening they would certainly have been seen.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “Here’s some of that special silk,” they heard the first man say.
foldsnounUS /foʊldz/
plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading But for the folds of silk that hung down over the opening they would certainly have been seen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But for the folds of silk that hung down over the opening they would certainly have been seen.
set up or found
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
HardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY The Hardy boys were tense with a realization of their peril.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But for the folds of silk that hung down over the opening they would certainly have been seen.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading “Here’s some of that special silk,” they heard the first man say.
Here's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here’s some of that special silk,” they heard the first man say.
not accessible to view
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Perhaps I’d better bring it up too.
illuminationnounUS /ˌɪluːməˈneɪʃən/
a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Perhaps I’d better bring it up too.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “Here’s some of that special silk,” they heard the first man say.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY The Hardy boys were tense with a realization of their peril.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading But for the folds of silk that hung down over the opening they would certainly have been seen.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But for the folds of silk that hung down over the opening they would certainly have been seen.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
by chance
From this reading “Perhaps I’d better bring it up too.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY The Hardy boys were tense with a realization of their peril.
realizationnounUS /ˈriːləˈzeɪʃən/
coming to understand something clearly and distinctly
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY The Hardy boys were tense with a realization of their peril.
express in words
From this reading “Here’s some of that special silk,” they heard the first man say.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading But for the folds of silk that hung down over the opening they would certainly have been seen.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
spacedadjectiveUS /speɪst/
spaced apart
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading “Here’s some of that special silk,” they heard the first man say.
STARTLINGadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY The Hardy boys were tense with a realization of their peril.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
tensenounUS /tens/
a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY The Hardy boys were tense with a realization of their peril.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY The Hardy boys were tense with a realization of their peril.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY The Hardy boys were tense with a realization of their peril.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “Perhaps I’d better bring it up too.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “Perhaps I’d better bring it up too.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY The Hardy boys were tense with a realization of their peril.
at the time that
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY The Hardy boys were tense with a realization of their peril.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The strong electric light that hung from the center of the ceiling cast such a vivid illumination that they were sure they would be seen, particularly when they found that the boxes behind which they were hidden were spaced some distance apart.
