adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading He had never seemed so happily alive as in the moment of his death.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had never seemed so happily alive as in the moment of his death.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been no struggle, no outcry, no lifting of head or hand.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
colouradjectiveUS /ˈkʌlər/
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
COMINGnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
deathnounUS /deθ/
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
drewnounUS /druː/
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
examinedverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmənd/
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
FattyadjectiveUS /ˈfæti/
containing or composed of fat
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
ghostnounUS /ɡoʊst/
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There had been no struggle, no outcry, no lifting of head or hand.
hairnounUS /her/
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading There had been no struggle, no outcry, no lifting of head or hand.
happilyadverbUS /ˈhæpəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading He had never seemed so happily alive as in the moment of his death.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading There had been no struggle, no outcry, no lifting of head or hand.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
instantnounUS /ˈɪnstənt/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
JerrynounUS /ˈdʒeri/
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
liftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading There had been no struggle, no outcry, no lifting of head or hand.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
lipsnounUS /lɪps/
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
MacnounUS /mæk/
a waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
MatthewsnounUS /ˈmæθjuːz/
plural of “matthew” — (New Testament) disciple of Jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first Gospel
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
midnightnounUS /ˈmɪdnaɪt/
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading He had never seemed so happily alive as in the moment of his death.
mountainsnounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He had never seemed so happily alive as in the moment of his death.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
NIGHTnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There had been no struggle, no outcry, no lifting of head or hand.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There had been no struggle, no outcry, no lifting of head or hand.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
outcrynounUS /ˈaʊtkraɪ/
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading There had been no struggle, no outcry, no lifting of head or hand.
partedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːrtɪd/
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He had never seemed so happily alive as in the moment of his death.
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
smiledverbUS /smaɪld/
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had never seemed so happily alive as in the moment of his death.
steadyverbUS /ˈstedi/
make steady
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
stirredadjectiveUS /stɜːrd/
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
Strann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
struggleverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəl/
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading There had been no struggle, no outcry, no lifting of head or hand.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been no struggle, no outcry, no lifting of head or hand.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Fatty Matthews held the mirror close to the faintly parted lips, examined it, and then drew slowly back towards the door, his eyes steady upon Mac Strann.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
westnounUS /west/
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading One instant his eyes were closed, and then, indeed, he looked like death; the next instant the eyes open, he smiled, the wind stirred in his bright hair.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading THE COMING OF NIGHT It was not yet full dusk, for the shadows were still swinging out from the mountains and a ghost of colour lingered in the west, but midnight lay in the open eyes of Jerry Strann.
