used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CONCLUSION The waking of the men was a matter of seconds merely.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/
plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
ChunkyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃʌŋki/
like or containing small sticky lumps
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading CONCLUSION The waking of the men was a matter of seconds merely.
danglingnounUS /ˈdæŋɡəlɪŋ/
the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't stir.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
the act of departing
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'll tell you when it is time to move," warned Tad.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I'll tell you when it is time to move," warned Tad.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I'll tell you when it is time to move," warned Tad.
keenlyadverbUS /ˈkiːnli/
in a keen or penetrating way
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading CONCLUSION The waking of the men was a matter of seconds merely.
the force of workers available
From this reading CONCLUSION The waking of the men was a matter of seconds merely.
and nothing more
From this reading CONCLUSION The waking of the men was a matter of seconds merely.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I'll tell you when it is time to move," warned Tad.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CONCLUSION The waking of the men was a matter of seconds merely.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
partiallyadverbUS /ˈpɑːrʃəli/
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
propelledverbUS /prəˈpeld/
inflected form of “propel” — cause to move forward with force
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading CONCLUSION The waking of the men was a matter of seconds merely.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
springsnounUS /sprɪŋz/
plural of “spring” — the season of growth
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
move an implement through
From this reading "Don't stir.
TadnounUS /tæd/
a slight amount or degree of difference
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
express in words
From this reading I'll tell you when it is time to move," warned Tad.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CONCLUSION The waking of the men was a matter of seconds merely.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading I'll tell you when it is time to move," warned Tad.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
having come into contact
From this reading A touch on the shoulder and the man touched was on his feet as if propelled by springs, hand instinctively going to the revolver dangling from his belt.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading CONCLUSION The waking of the men was a matter of seconds merely.
past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading I'll tell you when it is time to move," warned Tad.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CONCLUSION The waking of the men was a matter of seconds merely.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Tad, now keenly alive to what was going on, had partially thrown the blankets off, Chunky having done the same.
at the time that
From this reading I'll tell you when it is time to move," warned Tad.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I'll tell you when it is time to move," warned Tad.
