used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading They asked themselves no questions--why the "coyote" had not been fired? how those outside knew they were in the cavern.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
beat-beat-beat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They asked themselves no questions--why the "coyote" had not been fired? how those outside knew they were in the cavern.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
Blackton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
comprehendingverbUS /ˌkɑːmprɪˈhendɪŋ/
-ing form of “comprehend” — get the meaning of something
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
coyotenounUS /kaɪˈoʊti/
small wolf native to western North America
From this reading They asked themselves no questions--why the "coyote" had not been fired? how those outside knew they were in the cavern.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading They asked themselves no questions--why the "coyote" had not been fired? how those outside knew they were in the cavern.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They asked themselves no questions--why the "coyote" had not been fired? how those outside knew they were in the cavern.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
Joanne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading They asked themselves no questions--why the "coyote" had not been fired? how those outside knew they were in the cavern.
immediately past
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
the force of workers available
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
mistakingnounUS /mɪˈsteɪkɪŋ/
putting the wrong interpretation on
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
not any; not one
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading They asked themselves no questions--why the "coyote" had not been fired? how those outside knew they were in the cavern.
pitnounUS /pɪt/
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading They asked themselves no questions--why the "coyote" had not been fired? how those outside knew they were in the cavern.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
rescueverbUS /ˈreskjuː/
free from harm or evil
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
except for; apart from
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
sobbingnounUS /ˈsɑːbɪŋ/
convulsive gasp made while weeping
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
make steady
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
stunnedadjectiveUS /stʌnd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They asked themselves no questions--why the "coyote" had not been fired? how those outside knew they were in the cavern.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading They asked themselves no questions--why the "coyote" had not been fired? how those outside knew they were in the cavern.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
tremorsnounUS /ˈtremərz/
plural of “tremor” — an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading And, as they listened, there came to them a voice.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading They asked themselves no questions--why the "coyote" had not been fired? how those outside knew they were in the cavern.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And now, as she listened with him, her breath began to come in sobbing excitement between her lips--for there was no mistaking that sound, that steady _beat-beat-beat_ that came from beyond the cavern wall and seemed to set strange tremors stirring in the air about their ears.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading At last Joanne realized that the explosion was not to come, that Blackton and his men were working to save them.
but in spite of that
From this reading For a few moments they stood stunned and silent, as if not yet quite fully comprehending that they had come from out of the pit of death, and that men were fighting for their rescue.
