used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
any thing at all
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
biernounUS /biːr/
a coffin along with its stand
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading In a second he had delved into his pocket and brought out his package of matches.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
clothing in general
From this reading He jumped up and scurried to the shelter of some near-by trees, shivering in his soaked clothes.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
delugedverbUS /ˈdeljuːdʒd/
past form of “deluge” — fill quickly beyond capacity; as with a liquid
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
delvedverbUS /delvd/
past form of “delve” — turn up, loosen, or remove earth
From this reading In a second he had delved into his pocket and brought out his package of matches.
dialnounUS /ˈdaɪəl/
the face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
flashingnounUS /ˈflæʃɪŋ/
a short vivid experience
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
a quick look
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In a second he had delved into his pocket and brought out his package of matches.
Hal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In a second he had delved into his pocket and brought out his package of matches.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
jaguar'snounUS /ˈdʒæɡwɑːrz/
possessive form of “jaguar” — a large spotted feline of tropical America similar to the leopard; in some classifications considered a member of the genus Felis
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading He jumped up and scurried to the shelter of some near-by trees, shivering in his soaked clothes.
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
set afire or burning
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
matchesnounUS /ˈmætʃəz/
plural of “match” — lighter consisting of a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with combustible chemical; ignites with friction
From this reading In a second he had delved into his pocket and brought out his package of matches.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
near-by
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He jumped up and scurried to the shelter of some near-by trees, shivering in his soaked clothes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
packagenounUS /ˈpækədʒ/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading In a second he had delved into his pocket and brought out his package of matches.
patternounUS /ˈpætər/
plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading In a second he had delved into his pocket and brought out his package of matches.
radium-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
rainstormnounUS /ˈreɪnstɔːrm/
a storm with rain
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
Rodriguez
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
rustleverbUS /ˈrʌsəl/
make a dry crackling sound
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
scurriedverbUS /ˈskɜːrid/
inflected form of “scurry” — to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading He jumped up and scurried to the shelter of some near-by trees, shivering in his soaked clothes.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading In a second he had delved into his pocket and brought out his package of matches.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading He jumped up and scurried to the shelter of some near-by trees, shivering in his soaked clothes.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading He jumped up and scurried to the shelter of some near-by trees, shivering in his soaked clothes.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
soakedadjectiveUS /soʊkt/
very drunk
From this reading He jumped up and scurried to the shelter of some near-by trees, shivering in his soaked clothes.
soggyadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːɡi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He jumped up and scurried to the shelter of some near-by trees, shivering in his soaked clothes.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
spotsnounUS /spɑːts/
spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
in a swift manner
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading He jumped up and scurried to the shelter of some near-by trees, shivering in his soaked clothes.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He jumped up and scurried to the shelter of some near-by trees, shivering in his soaked clothes.
velvetyadjectiveUS /ˈvelvəti/
smooth and soft to sight or hearing or touch or taste
From this reading Something moved swiftly near by, he heard a rustle of leaves and the patter of slow, velvety footsteps on the soggy ground.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
look attentively
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
witchingnounUS /ˈwɪtʃɪŋ/
the use or practice of witchcraft
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
wristnounUS /rɪst/
a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
From this reading Hal awakened at the witching hour of midnight to find that he was being deluged in a rainstorm, his fire was out and he couldn’t see anything but the radium-faced dial of his wrist watch.
yellowish-brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they were dry and he had one lighted in an instant—in time to catch a flashing glimpse of a jaguar’s yellowish-brown spots as it leaped across Rodriguez’ temporary bier and disappeared between the trees.
