used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Was it now time for her to act, to take her part in it, or must she wait a little longer for her cue?
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
allynounUS /ˈælaɪ/
a friendly nation
From this reading Should she reveal her presence and appeal to the members of this lawless band, denouncing its unscrupulous leader, and his traitorous ally?
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading Should she reveal her presence and appeal to the members of this lawless band, denouncing its unscrupulous leader, and his traitorous ally?
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading Should she reveal her presence and appeal to the members of this lawless band, denouncing its unscrupulous leader, and his traitorous ally?
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
brought into existence
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
charmsnounUS /tʃɑːrmz/
plural of “charm” — attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
cuenounUS /kjuː/
an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
From this reading Was it now time for her to act, to take her part in it, or must she wait a little longer for her cue?
denouncingverbUS /dɪˈnaʊnsɪŋ/
-ing form of “denounce” — speak out against
From this reading Should she reveal her presence and appeal to the members of this lawless band, denouncing its unscrupulous leader, and his traitorous ally?
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
enactedverbUS /eˈnæktəd/
past form of “enact” — order by virtue of superior authority; decree
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
environmentnounUS /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/
the totality of surrounding conditions
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
fainadjectiveUS /feɪn/
having made preparations
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Was it now time for her to act, to take her part in it, or must she wait a little longer for her cue?
a young female
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
gruesomeadjectiveUS /ˈɡruːsəm/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Should she reveal her presence and appeal to the members of this lawless band, denouncing its unscrupulous leader, and his traitorous ally?
hoveringverbUS /ˈhʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
immovablenounUS /ˌɪˈmuːvəbəl/
property consisting of houses and land
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
importnounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrt/
commodities (goods or services) bought from a foreign country
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
keenlyadverbUS /ˈkiːnli/
in a keen or penetrating way
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
lawlessadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːləs/
without law or control
From this reading Should she reveal her presence and appeal to the members of this lawless band, denouncing its unscrupulous leader, and his traitorous ally?
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading Should she reveal her presence and appeal to the members of this lawless band, denouncing its unscrupulous leader, and his traitorous ally?
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
for more time
From this reading Was it now time for her to act, to take her part in it, or must she wait a little longer for her cue?
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Should she reveal her presence and appeal to the members of this lawless band, denouncing its unscrupulous leader, and his traitorous ally?
momentousadjectiveUS /moʊˈmentəs/
of very great significance
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
used to form the superlative
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Was it now time for her to act, to take her part in it, or must she wait a little longer for her cue?
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
nightmarenounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Was it now time for her to act, to take her part in it, or must she wait a little longer for her cue?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Was it now time for her to act, to take her part in it, or must she wait a little longer for her cue?
win a victory over
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Was it now time for her to act, to take her part in it, or must she wait a little longer for her cue?
perturbedadjectiveUS /pərˈtɜːrbd/
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
powerlessadjectiveUS /ˈpaʊərləs/
lacking power
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Should she reveal her presence and appeal to the members of this lawless band, denouncing its unscrupulous leader, and his traitorous ally?
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
revealverbUS /rɪˈviːl/
make visible
From this reading Should she reveal her presence and appeal to the members of this lawless band, denouncing its unscrupulous leader, and his traitorous ally?
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
secrecynounUS /ˈsiːkrəsi/
the trait of keeping things secret
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
serpentnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənt/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
move or cause to move back and forth
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Should she reveal her presence and appeal to the members of this lawless band, denouncing its unscrupulous leader, and his traitorous ally?
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
not in physical motion
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
carry out
From this reading Was it now time for her to act, to take her part in it, or must she wait a little longer for her cue?
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Was it now time for her to act, to take her part in it, or must she wait a little longer for her cue?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
traitorousadjectiveUS /ˈtreɪtərəs/
having the character of, or characteristic of, a traitor
From this reading Should she reveal her presence and appeal to the members of this lawless band, denouncing its unscrupulous leader, and his traitorous ally?
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
unscrupulousadjectiveUS /ənˈskruːpjələs/
without scruples or principles
From this reading Should she reveal her presence and appeal to the members of this lawless band, denouncing its unscrupulous leader, and his traitorous ally?
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Was it now time for her to act, to take her part in it, or must she wait a little longer for her cue?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
weavesnounUS /wiːvz/
plural of “weave” — pattern of weaving or structure of a fabric
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
at the time that
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading All this while the girl crouched close to earth, immovable, breathless, keenly alert amid the gruesome shadows hovering along the broken line of rock.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To her perturbed brain it seemed an oppressive dream, an unhappy nightmare, born of the surrounding gloom, and still she understood that it was most real, that the little drama, with its environment of night and secrecy and threatened crime, was one of momentous import to her and to her lover.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
but in spite of that
From this reading There was a strange and terrible fascination in the scene enacted below her--a fascination she would fain shake off, yet felt powerless to overcome, like the fatal spell a serpent weaves when it charms a victim.
