used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
anew
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
attractionnounUS /əˈtrækʃən/
the force by which one object attracts another
From this reading This time he was but a minor attraction to the flies, and but one or two came near him.
banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
BurlnounUS /bɜːrl/
the wood cut from a tree burl or outgrowth; often used decoratively in veneer
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This time he was but a minor attraction to the flies, and but one or two came near him.
buzzingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌzɪŋ/
noisy like the sound of a bee
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading This time he was but a minor attraction to the flies, and but one or two came near him.
convulsivelyadverb
with convulsions, in a convulsive way
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
dartedverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪd/
past form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
ecstacy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
edgesnounUS /ˈedʒəz/
plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
feastingnounUS /ˈfiːstɪŋ/
eating an elaborate meal (often accompanied by entertainment)
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
fungusnounUS /ˈfʌŋɡəs/
an organism of the kingdom Fungi lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter; ranging from unicellular or multicellular organisms to spore-bearing syncytia
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This time he was but a minor attraction to the flies, and but one or two came near him.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
headlessadjectiveUS /ˈhedləs/
not having a head or formed without a head
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This time he was but a minor attraction to the flies, and but one or two came near him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
provoking horror
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
ill-smellingadjective
having an unpleasant smell
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
liquefiedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəfaɪd/
reduced to a liquid state
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
liquidadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəd/
existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
maggotsnounUS /ˈmæɡəts/
plural of “maggot” — the larva of the housefly and blowfly commonly found in decaying organic matter
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
minoradjectiveUS /ˈmaɪnər/
of lesser importance or stature or rank
From this reading This time he was but a minor attraction to the flies, and but one or two came near him.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading This time he was but a minor attraction to the flies, and but one or two came near him.
a brief written record
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This time he was but a minor attraction to the flies, and but one or two came near him.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading This time he was but a minor attraction to the flies, and but one or two came near him.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
poolsnounUS /puːlz/
plural of “pool” — an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Burl ran on.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
spatteredadjectiveUS /ˈspætərd/
covered with bright patches (often used in combination)
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
stinkingadjectiveUS /ˈstɪŋkɪŋ/
very bad
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This time he was but a minor attraction to the flies, and but one or two came near him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading This time he was but a minor attraction to the flies, and but one or two came near him.
very small
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
toadstoolnoun
common name for an inedible or poisonous agaric (contrasting with the edible mushroom)
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
toadstool's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
twitchedverbUS /twɪtʃt/
past form of “twitch” — make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading This time he was but a minor attraction to the flies, and but one or two came near him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From every direction they were hurrying to the toadstool feast, to the banquet of horrible, liquefied fungus that lay spread upon the ground.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The buzzing of the flies took on a note of satisfaction, and they settled by hundreds about the edges of the ill-smelling pools, becoming lost in the ecstacy of feasting while Burl staggered to his feet and darted off again.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading With the crash of the toadstool's "head" upon the ground, it fell into a dozen pieces, and the earth for yards around was spattered with a stinking liquid in which tiny, headless maggots twitched convulsively.
