used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
aimverbUS /eɪm/
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The rawhide rope squirmed through the air.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
CAPTUREverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/
succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading He heard a sudden startled exclamation.
executedadjectiveUS /ˈeksəkjuːtɪd/
put to death as punishment
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He knew that if he did, he would find himself in a serious predicament.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He heard a sudden startled exclamation.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He knew that if he did, he would find himself in a serious predicament.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He knew that if he did, he would find himself in a serious predicament.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew that if he did, he would find himself in a serious predicament.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
predicamentnounUS /prɪˈdɪkəmənt/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading He knew that if he did, he would find himself in a serious predicament.
with speed
From this reading A CLEVER CAPTURE His plan had been conceived in a flash and executed almost as quickly.
rawhidenounUS /ˈrɔːhaɪd/
untanned hide especially of cattle; cut in strips it is used for whips and ropes
From this reading The rawhide rope squirmed through the air.
a strong line
From this reading The rawhide rope squirmed through the air.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading He knew that if he did, he would find himself in a serious predicament.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
squirmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rawhide rope squirmed through the air.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading He heard a sudden startled exclamation.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading He heard a sudden startled exclamation.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
TadnounUS /tæd/
a slight amount or degree of difference
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The rawhide rope squirmed through the air.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The rawhide rope squirmed through the air.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He could not be sure of his aim in the darkness, but the stranger was so close that Tad did not believe he could miss.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He knew that if he did, he would find himself in a serious predicament.
