used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
anew
From this reading His gigantic figure was again involved in pitchy darkness, as the momentary lightning receded.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The battling elements paused: an uninterrupted silence, deep, dreadful as the silence of the tomb, succeeded.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
move towards
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Still sat Matilda upon the rock--she still contemplated the tempest which raged around her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The battling elements paused: an uninterrupted silence, deep, dreadful as the silence of the tomb, succeeded.
battlingverbUS /ˈbætəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “battle” — battle or contend against in or as if in a battle
From this reading The battling elements paused: an uninterrupted silence, deep, dreadful as the silence of the tomb, succeeded.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
contemplatedverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪd/
past form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading Still sat Matilda upon the rock--she still contemplated the tempest which raged around her.
crashingadjectiveUS /ˈkræʃɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading His gigantic figure was again involved in pitchy darkness, as the momentary lightning receded.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The battling elements paused: an uninterrupted silence, deep, dreadful as the silence of the tomb, succeeded.
disclosedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskloʊzd/
made known (especially something secret or concealed)
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
distinguishableadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃəbəl/
capable of being perceived as different or distinct
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading The battling elements paused: an uninterrupted silence, deep, dreadful as the silence of the tomb, succeeded.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading The battling elements paused: an uninterrupted silence, deep, dreadful as the silence of the tomb, succeeded.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading His gigantic figure was again involved in pitchy darkness, as the momentary lightning receded.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading His gigantic figure was again involved in pitchy darkness, as the momentary lightning receded.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Still sat Matilda upon the rock--she still contemplated the tempest which raged around her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His gigantic figure was again involved in pitchy darkness, as the momentary lightning receded.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His gigantic figure was again involved in pitchy darkness, as the momentary lightning receded.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading His gigantic figure was again involved in pitchy darkness, as the momentary lightning receded.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
madlyadverbUS /ˈmædli/
in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
Matilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still sat Matilda upon the rock--she still contemplated the tempest which raged around her.
momentaryadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊmənteri/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading His gigantic figure was again involved in pitchy darkness, as the momentary lightning receded.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The battling elements paused: an uninterrupted silence, deep, dreadful as the silence of the tomb, succeeded.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading The battling elements paused: an uninterrupted silence, deep, dreadful as the silence of the tomb, succeeded.
pealnounUS /piːl/
a deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
pitchyadjective
of the blackest black; similar to the color of jet or coal
From this reading His gigantic figure was again involved in pitchy darkness, as the momentary lightning receded.
ragedverbUS /reɪdʒd/
past form of “rage” — behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Still sat Matilda upon the rock--she still contemplated the tempest which raged around her.
rattledadjectiveUS /ˈrætəld/
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
recededverbUS /rəˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “recede” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading His gigantic figure was again involved in pitchy darkness, as the momentary lightning receded.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Still sat Matilda upon the rock--she still contemplated the tempest which raged around her.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Still sat Matilda upon the rock--she still contemplated the tempest which raged around her.
scintillatingadjective
brilliantly clever
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Still sat Matilda upon the rock--she still contemplated the tempest which raged around her.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The battling elements paused: an uninterrupted silence, deep, dreadful as the silence of the tomb, succeeded.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still sat Matilda upon the rock--she still contemplated the tempest which raged around her.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading The battling elements paused: an uninterrupted silence, deep, dreadful as the silence of the tomb, succeeded.
tempestnounUS /ˈtempəst/
a violent commotion or disturbance
From this reading Still sat Matilda upon the rock--she still contemplated the tempest which raged around her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Still sat Matilda upon the rock--she still contemplated the tempest which raged around her.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
tombnounUS /tuːm/
a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)
From this reading The battling elements paused: an uninterrupted silence, deep, dreadful as the silence of the tomb, succeeded.
toweringadjectiveUS /ˈtaʊərɪŋ/
of imposing height; especially standing out above others
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
uninterruptedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪntərˈʌptɪd/
having undisturbed continuity
From this reading The battling elements paused: an uninterrupted silence, deep, dreadful as the silence of the tomb, succeeded.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Still sat Matilda upon the rock--she still contemplated the tempest which raged around her.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His gigantic figure was again involved in pitchy darkness, as the momentary lightning receded.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Still sat Matilda upon the rock--she still contemplated the tempest which raged around her.
Zastrozzi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matilda heard a noise--footsteps were distinguishable, and, looking up, a flash of vivid lightning disclosed to her view the towering form of Zastrozzi.
Zastrozzi's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
zenithnounUS /ˈziːnəθ/
the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading A peal of crashing thunder again madly rattled over the zenith, and a scintillating flash announced Zastrozzi’s approach, as he stood before Matilda.
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