used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
of short duration or distance
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
placed in a grave
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
clawsnounUS /klɔːz/
plural of “claw” — sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
cougarnounUS /ˈkuːɡər/
large American feline resembling a lion
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
characterized by great determination
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
hostilitiesnounUS /hɑːˈstɪlətiz/
fighting; acts of overt warfare
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
hunternounUS /ˈhʌntər/
someone who hunts game
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
a small worthless amount
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
KentuckiannounUS /ˌkenˈtʌkiən/
a native or resident of Kentucky
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
leapnounUS /liːp/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
LeapingnounUS /ˈliːpɪŋ/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
limbnounUS /lɪm/
one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
mid-air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
a particular point in time
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
not any; not one
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
painternounUS /ˈpeɪntər/
an artist who paints
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
perchnounUS /pɜːrtʃ/
support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
raspingadjective
unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
recoiledverbUS /riˈkɔɪld/
past form of “recoil” — draw back, as with fear or pain
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
shaggyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæɡi/
used of hair; thick and poorly groomed
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
snarlverbUS /snɑːrl/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal left his perch.
not in physical motion
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
successive (without a break)
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
thumpverbUS /θʌmp/
move rhythmically
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
unpreparedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnpriˈperd/
without preparation; not prepared for
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
vigilantadjectiveUS /ˈvɪdʒələnt/
carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
which person or people
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading There could be no miss under the circumstances, and the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in mid-air.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities.
youthfuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːθfəl/
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
From this reading He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead.
