used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
abruptadjectiveUS /əˈbrʌpt/
marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From far up the hillside a cloud of dust grew closer, and thundered past like an express train.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
autonounUS /ˈɔːtoʊ/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
avalanchenounUS /ˈævəlæntʃ/
a slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
CANYONnounUS /ˈkænjən/
a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading THE VOLLEY IN THE CANYON.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading From far up the hillside a cloud of dust grew closer, and thundered past like an express train.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading From far up the hillside a cloud of dust grew closer, and thundered past like an express train.
dislodgedverbUS /dɪˈslɑːdʒd/
past form of “dislodge” — remove or force out from a position
From this reading In the midst of the cloud was the huge, dislodged rock, weighing perhaps half a ton or more.
remove the dust from
From this reading From far up the hillside a cloud of dust grew closer, and thundered past like an express train.
give expression to
From this reading From far up the hillside a cloud of dust grew closer, and thundered past like an express train.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading From far up the hillside a cloud of dust grew closer, and thundered past like an express train.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From far up the hillside a cloud of dust grew closer, and thundered past like an express train.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading From far up the hillside a cloud of dust grew closer, and thundered past like an express train.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Nat had stopped in the nick of time.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading In the midst of the cloud was the huge, dislodged rock, weighing perhaps half a ton or more.
haltverbUS /hɔːlt/
cause to stop
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
hillsidenounUS /ˈhɪlsaɪd/
the side or slope of a hill
From this reading From far up the hillside a cloud of dust grew closer, and thundered past like an express train.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading In the midst of the cloud was the huge, dislodged rock, weighing perhaps half a ton or more.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE VOLLEY IN THE CANYON.
joltingadjectiveUS /ˈdʒoʊltɪŋ/
causing or characterized by jolts and irregular movements
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading In the midst of the cloud was the huge, dislodged rock, weighing perhaps half a ton or more.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In the midst of the cloud was the huge, dislodged rock, weighing perhaps half a ton or more.
Nat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nat had stopped in the nick of time.
nickverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading Nat had stopped in the nick of time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Nat had stopped in the nick of time.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the midst of the cloud was the huge, dislodged rock, weighing perhaps half a ton or more.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading From far up the hillside a cloud of dust grew closer, and thundered past like an express train.
by chance
From this reading In the midst of the cloud was the huge, dislodged rock, weighing perhaps half a ton or more.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading In the midst of the cloud was the huge, dislodged rock, weighing perhaps half a ton or more.
seatsnounUS /siːts/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Nat had stopped in the nick of time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE VOLLEY IN THE CANYON.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
thunderedverbUS /ˈθʌndərd/
past form of “thunder” — move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading From far up the hillside a cloud of dust grew closer, and thundered past like an express train.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Nat had stopped in the nick of time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
tonnounUS /tʌn/
a United States unit of weight equivalent to 2000 pounds
From this reading In the midst of the cloud was the huge, dislodged rock, weighing perhaps half a ton or more.
tonneau
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
create by training and teaching
From this reading From far up the hillside a cloud of dust grew closer, and thundered past like an express train.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading From far up the hillside a cloud of dust grew closer, and thundered past like an express train.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
VOLLEYnounUS /ˈvɑːli/
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
From this reading THE VOLLEY IN THE CANYON.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As the auto came to an abrupt halt, almost jolting those in the tonneau out of their seats, there was a roar like the voice of an avalanche.
weighingnounUS /ˈweɪɪŋ/
careful consideration
From this reading In the midst of the cloud was the huge, dislodged rock, weighing perhaps half a ton or more.
