used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading The intelligence reached him subconsciously; he had no time for actual speculation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
areanounUS /ˈeriə/
a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
assailantnounUS /əˈseɪlənt/
someone who attacks
From this reading And without forewarning, he suddenly discovered himself in the grip of a powerful assailant.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
believingnounUS /bɪˈliːvɪŋ/
the cognitive process that leads to convictions
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
boltingverbUS /ˈboʊltɪŋ/
-ing form of “bolt” — move or jump suddenly
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
brooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
confidentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnfədəntli/
with confidence; in a confident manner
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
corporalnounUS /ˈkɔːrpərəl/
a noncommissioned officer in the Army or Air Force or Marines
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
crushingadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌʃɪŋ/
physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading And without forewarning, he suddenly discovered himself in the grip of a powerful assailant.
embraceverbUS /emˈbreɪs/
include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
existentadjectiveUS /eɡˈzɪstənt/
having existence or being or actuality
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
fleeingverbUS /ˈfliːɪŋ/
-ing form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The intelligence reached him subconsciously; he had no time for actual speculation.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
forewarningnounUS /fɔːrˈwɔːrnɪŋ/
an early warning about a future event
From this reading And without forewarning, he suddenly discovered himself in the grip of a powerful assailant.
set up or found
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading And without forewarning, he suddenly discovered himself in the grip of a powerful assailant.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The intelligence reached him subconsciously; he had no time for actual speculation.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The intelligence reached him subconsciously; he had no time for actual speculation.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
HUNTEDadjectiveUS /ˈhʌntəd/
reflecting the fear or terror of one who is hunted
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading The intelligence reached him subconsciously; he had no time for actual speculation.
and nothing more
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
not any; not one
From this reading The intelligence reached him subconsciously; he had no time for actual speculation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
and nothing more
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading And without forewarning, he suddenly discovered himself in the grip of a powerful assailant.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
rangingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪndʒɪŋ/
wandering freely
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The intelligence reached him subconsciously; he had no time for actual speculation.
ridernounUS /ˈraɪdər/
a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
a person, without saying who
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
speculationnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading The intelligence reached him subconsciously; he had no time for actual speculation.
spiritedadjectiveUS /ˈspɪrɪtɪd/
displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
subconsciouslyadverbUS /səbˈkɑːnʃəsli/
from the subconscious mind
From this reading The intelligence reached him subconsciously; he had no time for actual speculation.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading And without forewarning, he suddenly discovered himself in the grip of a powerful assailant.
Susy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The intelligence reached him subconsciously; he had no time for actual speculation.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
unacquaintedadjective
not knowledgeable about something specified
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
unidentifiedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnaɪˈdentəfaɪd/
not yet identified
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading A second before he was confidently ranging on the trail of the fleeing woman, believing himself the only man existent in that vast area of desolate forest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
which person or people
From this reading The active part of his mind was fully preoccupied just then, as he found himself struggling in the dark with an unidentified someone who had crept upon him from behind and seized him in a crushing embrace.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading And without forewarning, he suddenly discovered himself in the grip of a powerful assailant.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading THE HUNTED WOMAN From the sudden, startling sounds in the direction of the brook, the corporal guessed that the hunted woman had stolen and mounted his horse, and the spirited Susy was bolting through the woods with her unacquainted rider.
