used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
abatedverbUS /əˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “abate” — make less active or intense
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading He listened intently, but the stillness was profound and solemn --awful, even, and depressing to the spirits.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Then he stopped; being persuaded that he was now tolerably safe.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
criticallyadverbUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəli/
in a critical manner
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
depressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈpresɪŋ/
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading He listened intently, but the stillness was profound and solemn --awful, even, and depressing to the spirits.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
descried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
divisible by two
From this reading He listened intently, but the stillness was profound and solemn --awful, even, and depressing to the spirits.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
frightnounUS /fraɪt/
an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
hedgeverbUS /hedʒ/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
an instinctive motive
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading He listened intently, but the stillness was profound and solemn --awful, even, and depressing to the spirits.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading He listened intently, but the stillness was profound and solemn --awful, even, and depressing to the spirits.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for
From this reading Then he stopped; being persuaded that he was now tolerably safe.
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading He listened intently, but the stillness was profound and solemn --awful, even, and depressing to the spirits.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading Then he stopped; being persuaded that he was now tolerably safe.
scanverbUS /skæn/
examine minutely or intensely
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading He listened intently, but the stillness was profound and solemn --awful, even, and depressing to the spirits.
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading He listened intently, but the stillness was profound and solemn --awful, even, and depressing to the spirits.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading He listened intently, but the stillness was profound and solemn --awful, even, and depressing to the spirits.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Then he stopped; being persuaded that he was now tolerably safe.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
up to a particular time
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
tolerablyadverb
in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner
From this reading Then he stopped; being persuaded that he was now tolerably safe.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He never looked back until he had almost gained the shelter of the forest; then he turned and descried two figures in the distance.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading That was sufficient; he did not wait to scan them critically, but hurried on, and never abated his pace till he was far within the twilight depths of the wood.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading The high hedge hid him from the house, now; and so, under the impulse of a deadly fright, he let out all his forces and sped toward a wood in the distance.
