used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
applyverbUS /əˈplaɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
without stop or interruption
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could see nothing but ruin and death.
cracklingnounUS /ˈkræklɪŋ/
the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered
From this reading There was a sharp, crackling scratch, and a tiny white flame flashed out in the midst of the darkness.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading There was a sharp, crackling scratch, and a tiny white flame flashed out in the midst of the darkness.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading He could see nothing but ruin and death.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
feveredadjectiveUS /ˈfiːvərd/
highly or nervously excited
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
start firing a weapon
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading There was a sharp, crackling scratch, and a tiny white flame flashed out in the midst of the darkness.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading There was a sharp, crackling scratch, and a tiny white flame flashed out in the midst of the darkness.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
fuseverbUS /fjuːz/
mix together different elements
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading There was a sharp, crackling scratch, and a tiny white flame flashed out in the midst of the darkness.
a particular point in time
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He could see nothing but ruin and death.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading There was a sharp, crackling scratch, and a tiny white flame flashed out in the midst of the darkness.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading He could see nothing but ruin and death.
ruinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
scratchverbUS /skrætʃ/
cause friction
From this reading There was a sharp, crackling scratch, and a tiny white flame flashed out in the midst of the darkness.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He could see nothing but ruin and death.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading There was a sharp, crackling scratch, and a tiny white flame flashed out in the midst of the darkness.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a sharp, crackling scratch, and a tiny white flame flashed out in the midst of the darkness.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
very small
From this reading There was a sharp, crackling scratch, and a tiny white flame flashed out in the midst of the darkness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
create by training and teaching
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
hard to endure
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
usurpedverbUS /ˌjuːˈsɜːrpt/
past form of “usurp” — seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
From this reading He had promised to fire the train, and he was ready to do it, for passion had long usurped reason, and should he die in the ruins, he cared but little.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Joe Banks stood trying to think, but he was in so excited and fevered a state that the effort was vain.
in or at the place that
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
whisperings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
a Caucasian
From this reading There was a sharp, crackling scratch, and a tiny white flame flashed out in the midst of the darkness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Meantime, as he stood intently listening, and with his hand upon the catch of his lantern, ready to apply it to the fuse at any moment, the whisperings continued, ceased within a few yards of where he stood; and then came the sound of a box being opened.
