used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
accentsnounUS /ˈæksents/
plural of “accent” — distinctive manner of oral expression
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
in actual fact
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
Alison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading He had called to Alison, and the girl had answered.
apparitionnounUS /ˌæpərˈɪʃən/
a ghostly appearing figure
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
awedadjectiveUS /ɔːd/
inspired by a feeling of fearful wonderment or reverence
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
beholds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
binocularsnounUS /bəˈnɑːkjələrz/
(plural) an optical instrument designed for simultaneous use by both eyes
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
a youthful male person
From this reading So the boy in the cabin yonder had reached her with his message of warning.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading So the boy in the cabin yonder had reached her with his message of warning.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He had called to Alison, and the girl had answered.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
DexteradjectiveUS /ˈdekstər/
on or starting from the wearer's right
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
exertingverbUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “exert” — put to use
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
far-offadjective
very far away in space or time
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
fool'snounUS /fuːlz/
possessive form of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
set up or found
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
a young female
From this reading He had called to Alison, and the girl had answered.
grippedverbUS /ɡrɪpt/
inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
half-muttered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
leaguesnounUS /liːɡz/
plural of “league” — an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
low-pitchedadjective
used of sounds and voices; low in pitch or frequency
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading So the boy in the cabin yonder had reached her with his message of warning.
miraculousadjectiveUS /mərˈækjələs/
being or having the character of a miracle
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
a particular point in time
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
not in physical motion
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
win a victory over
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
PATHSnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
PERILnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
persuadedverbUS /pərˈsweɪdɪd/
past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
pretensenounUS /priˈtens/
the act of giving a false appearance
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
Rayne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading So the boy in the cabin yonder had reached her with his message of warning.
cut with a saw
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the boy in the cabin yonder had reached her with his message of warning.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
sorcerynounUS /ˈsɔːrsəri/
the belief in magical spells that harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnatural effects in the world
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Speaking in low-pitched, half-muttered accents, under pretense of sleep talking, his voice must have carried by some strange sorcery through the leagues of forest, to be heard by listening ears.
wabbling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
a message informing of danger
From this reading So the boy in the cabin yonder had reached her with his message of warning.
at the time that
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
which person or people
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
in the company of; together with
From this reading PATHS OF PERIL Overcome by astonishment, Dexter stood motionless and breathless, peering at the far-off figure with swimming senses, exerting all his will force to keep the binoculars from wabbling in his tightly gripped hands.
wondermentnounUS /ˈwʌndərmənt/
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading He had come there looking for Alison Rayne--on a fool's chase, he persuaded himself a moment before--and now, when he actually saw her he found himself staring across space with the awed wonderment of a man who beholds a miraculous apparition.
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading So the boy in the cabin yonder had reached her with his message of warning.
