used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
anew
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading Priscilla kept the fire alive.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
commandingadjectiveUS /kəˈmændɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
complaininglyadverb
with complaints
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
drippedverbUS /drɪpt/
inflected form of “drip” — fall in drops
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading If the clock struck again Priscilla felt that she might go mad.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Priscilla kept the fire alive.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
a young female
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading If the clock struck again Priscilla felt that she might go mad.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the clock struck again Priscilla felt that she might go mad.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Priscilla kept the fire alive.
set down according to a plan
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
immediately past
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
roused to anger
From this reading If the clock struck again Priscilla felt that she might go mad.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If the clock struck again Priscilla felt that she might go mad.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
pallidlyadverb
in a manner lacking interest or vitality
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
Priscilla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Priscilla kept the fire alive.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
relentlessadjectiveUS /rɪˈlentlɪs/
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
sobbedverbUS /sɑːbd/
inflected form of “sob” — weep convulsively
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
express in speech
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
sticksnounUS /stɪks/
plural of “stick” — an implement consisting of a length of wood
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading If the clock struck again Priscilla felt that she might go mad.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Priscilla kept the fire alive.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Outside the storm sobbed itself into silence; the rain dripped complainingly from the roof of the porch and then ceased.
a special situation
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
at the time that
From this reading It was after midnight when Nature laid a commanding and relentless touch upon the girl, and, crouching by the hearth, her head in her arms folded upon a chair, she slept.
a Caucasian
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
belonging to which person
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading She laid the sticks and logs on cautiously; she turned wide eyes now and again on the tall clock whose white face gleamed pallidly among the shadows like a dead thing that had used its last breath to speak a message.
