used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
boomedverbUS /buːmd/
past form of “boom” — make a resonant sound, like artillery
From this reading When the dull dawn came the rain had not subsided; thunder still growled and boomed.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When the dull dawn came the rain had not subsided; thunder still growled and boomed.
continuouslyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəsli/
at every point
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
the first light of day
From this reading When the dull dawn came the rain had not subsided; thunder still growled and boomed.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
deafenedadjective
caused to hear poorly or not at all
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading When the dull dawn came the rain had not subsided; thunder still growled and boomed.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
growledverbUS /ɡraʊld/
past form of “growl” — to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds
From this reading When the dull dawn came the rain had not subsided; thunder still growled and boomed.
growlingnounUS /ˈɡroʊlɪŋ/
a gruff or angry utterance (suggestive of the growling of an animal)
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the dull dawn came the rain had not subsided; thunder still growled and boomed.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
temporary military shelter
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
lashverbUS /læʃ/
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
literaladjectiveUS /ˈlɪtərəl/
being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When the dull dawn came the rain had not subsided; thunder still growled and boomed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
racingnounUS /ˈreɪsɪŋ/
the sport of engaging in contests of speed
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
rapidsnounUS /ˈræpədz/
plural of “rapid” — a part of a river where the current is very fast
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
roaredverbUS /rɔːrd/
past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
not in physical motion
From this reading When the dull dawn came the rain had not subsided; thunder still growled and boomed.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
subsidedverbUS /səbˈsaɪdɪd/
past form of “subside” — wear off or die down
From this reading When the dull dawn came the rain had not subsided; thunder still growled and boomed.
in a swift manner
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
thrumverb
sound with a monotonous hum
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
thudded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
male cat
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
torrentnounUS /ˈtɔːrənt/
a heavy rain
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
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 Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
tropicaladjectiveUS /ˈtrɑːpɪkəl/
relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
undertonenounUS /ˈʌndərtoʊn/
a quiet or hushed tone of voice
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
precisely as stated
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
at the time that
From this reading Rain in literal sheets made a wall of water when Tom peered out from the door of their hut.
whippingnounUS /ˈwɪpɪŋ/
beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment
From this reading Lightning that seemed more vivid than daylight flashed continuously; thunder that deafened shook and roared; trees thudded to the whipping lash of the lightning.
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading HENRY TURNS SAVAGE Late that night a tropical storm whirled down on the village from the mountains.
belonging to which person
From this reading The river, rising swiftly, was a very torrent, its water racing toward the rapids below, whose roar could be heard like a growling undertone to the thrum of falling water.
