used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Suddenly from behind them sounded a grating, rumbling noise.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
Arden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The others followed, Arden and Sim bringing up the rear.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Suddenly from behind them sounded a grating, rumbling noise.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
the lower side of anything
From this reading The chimney had its foundation on the bottom of the cellar.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading The others followed, Arden and Sim bringing up the rear.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
cellarnounUS /ˈselər/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading The chimney had its foundation on the bottom of the cellar.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
flashlightsnounUS /ˈflæʃlaɪts/
plural of “flashlight” — a small portable battery-powered electric lamp
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The others followed, Arden and Sim bringing up the rear.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
foundationnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading The chimney had its foundation on the bottom of the cellar.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Suddenly from behind them sounded a grating, rumbling noise.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
gratingnounUS /ˈɡreɪtɪŋ/
a barrier that has parallel or crossed bars blocking a passage but admitting air
From this reading Suddenly from behind them sounded a grating, rumbling noise.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The chimney had its foundation on the bottom of the cellar.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The chimney had its foundation on the bottom of the cellar.
and nothing more
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Suddenly from behind them sounded a grating, rumbling noise.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The chimney had its foundation on the bottom of the cellar.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The others followed, Arden and Sim bringing up the rear.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
Pangborn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
PickingnounUS /ˈpɪkɪŋ/
the quantity of a crop that is harvested
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
precededverbUS /prɪˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading The others followed, Arden and Sim bringing up the rear.
revivingadjectiveUS /rɪˈvaɪvɪŋ/
tending to impart new life and vigor to
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
rumblingnounUS /ˈrʌmbəlɪŋ/
a loud low dull continuous noise
From this reading Suddenly from behind them sounded a grating, rumbling noise.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
Sim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading Suddenly from behind them sounded a grating, rumbling noise.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly from behind them sounded a grating, rumbling noise.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Suddenly from behind them sounded a grating, rumbling noise.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They turned in surprise and some fear, just in time to see several stones fall out of the old chimney that was part of the fireplace above.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Picking up the old lady in his arms (and now she appeared to be reviving), Harry Pangborn, preceded by Sim and Betty with flashlights gleaming to show the way, started for the stairs.
