used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
absorptionnounUS /əbˈzɔːrpʃən/
(chemistry) a process in which one substance permeates another; a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
AfricanadjectiveUS /ˈæfrəkən/
of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
the first light of day
From this reading With the earliest glimmer of dawn they descended from their perches.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading With the earliest glimmer of dawn they descended from their perches.
true confidential information
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading With the earliest glimmer of dawn they descended from their perches.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
eighteenadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːn/
being one more than seventeen
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
glimmernounUS /ˈɡlɪmər/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading With the earliest glimmer of dawn they descended from their perches.
gruesomeadjectiveUS /ˈɡruːsəm/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
measuringnounUS /ˈmeʒərɪŋ/
the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
negroesnounUS /ˈniːɡroʊz/
plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
not any; not one
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
perchesnounUS /ˈpɜːrtʃɪz/
plural of “perch” — support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)
From this reading With the earliest glimmer of dawn they descended from their perches.
pythonnounUS /ˈpaɪθɑːn/
large Old World boas
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
freed from illness or injury
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
relishnounUS /ˈrelɪʃ/
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
Royce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
Royce's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
snakenounUS /sneɪk/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
specimennounUS /ˈspesəmən/
an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading With the earliest glimmer of dawn they descended from their perches.
in or at that place or location
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading John related a dismal story of the absorption of a cousin of his by a snake, showing such a relish for gruesome details that Royce ordered him to choose another subject.
TRAPnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading At the foot of the tree lay an unusually large specimen of the African python, measuring at least eighteen feet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SETTING A TRAP There was no more sleep for any of the three that night.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Royce's nerves were on edge; the negroes, though they recovered sooner than he from the shock, remained in a high state of excitement.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the earliest glimmer of dawn they descended from their perches.
