used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DAGGER OF ANOTHER SORT.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
anew
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading A DAGGER OF ANOTHER SORT.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
DAGGERnounUS /ˈdæɡ.ər/
A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.
From this reading A DAGGER OF ANOTHER SORT.
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading This was the end, then!
opinion or judgment
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
floodedadjectiveUS /ˈflʌdəd/
covered with water
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
frenzynounUS /ˈfrenzi/
state of violent mental agitation
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
grippingadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
hideousadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdiəs/
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
and nothing more
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
roused to anger
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
maskverbUS /mæsk/
hide under a false appearance
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
mercilessadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrsələs/
having or showing no mercy
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A DAGGER OF ANOTHER SORT.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
resistverbUS /rɪˈzɪst/
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
savagelyadverbUS /ˈsævɪdʒli/
in a vicious manner
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading A DAGGER OF ANOTHER SORT.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
swelledadjectiveUS /sweld/
feeling self-importance
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was the end, then!
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
tightenedverbUS /ˈtaɪtənd/
past form of “tighten” — make tight or tighter
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
unlooked-foradjective
not anticipated
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading In a mad frenzy of rage and agony, I struck again and again at the face before me, until my tongue swelled in my mouth and the heavens danced red before my eyes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FOR an instant I did not resist, so sudden and unlooked-for was the attack; then, as I felt a merciless hand gripping my throat, I struck savagely at a face I could dimly see just in front of my own.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A burst of blood flooded down over it, changing it into a hideous mask; but again I felt those fingers of steel about my neck--fingers which tightened and tightened, tear at them as I might.
