used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the first frightened flurry of the alarmed creatures of the forest, a deep silence prevailed.
experiencing a sudden sense of danger
From this reading After the first frightened flurry of the alarmed creatures of the forest, a deep silence prevailed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
the act of breaking something
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
uttered without voice
From this reading “Turn on the searchlight!” came the breathed command.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Turn on the searchlight!” came the breathed command.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading “Turn on the searchlight!” came the breathed command.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading After the first frightened flurry of the alarmed creatures of the forest, a deep silence prevailed.
recognizable; marked
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading After the first frightened flurry of the alarmed creatures of the forest, a deep silence prevailed.
DIDauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading WHAT IT DID.
at any time
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading After the first frightened flurry of the alarmed creatures of the forest, a deep silence prevailed.
flurrynounUS /ˈflɜːri/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading After the first frightened flurry of the alarmed creatures of the forest, a deep silence prevailed.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading After the first frightened flurry of the alarmed creatures of the forest, a deep silence prevailed.
made afraid
From this reading After the first frightened flurry of the alarmed creatures of the forest, a deep silence prevailed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WHAT IT DID.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
lastedverbUS /ˈlæstəd/
past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Turn on the searchlight!” came the breathed command.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
by chance
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
prevailedverbUS /prɪˈveɪld/
past form of “prevail” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading After the first frightened flurry of the alarmed creatures of the forest, a deep silence prevailed.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
searchlightnounUS /ˈsɜːrtʃlaɪt/
a light source with reflectors that projects a beam of light in a particular direction
From this reading “Turn on the searchlight!” came the breathed command.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading After the first frightened flurry of the alarmed creatures of the forest, a deep silence prevailed.
tenser
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It lasted for possibly fifteen minutes, and then the professor decided not to test their nerves to the breaking point.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading “Turn on the searchlight!” came the breathed command.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT IT DID.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The moments that followed were filled with a tenser excitement than any of the lads had ever known before.
