used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Von Bülow's sword swept through the air with a flash like lightning.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
adversarynounUS /ˈædvərseri/
someone who offers opposition
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Von Bülow's sword swept through the air with a flash like lightning.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
on or to one side
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
BenedictnounUS /ˈbenədɪkt/
United States anthropologist (1887-1948)
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
bladesnounUS /bleɪdz/
plural of “blade” — especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, rapid though it was, it descended in empty space.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
Bülow's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Von Bülow's sword swept through the air with a flash like lightning.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading THE TWO DUELS "Engage, gentlemen!" cried the colonel.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading THE TWO DUELS "Engage, gentlemen!" cried the colonel.
placed crosswise
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading But, rapid though it was, it descended in empty space.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
disclosingverbUS /dɪˈskloʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “disclose” — make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
DUELSnounUS /ˈduːəlz/
plural of “duel” — a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
From this reading THE TWO DUELS "Engage, gentlemen!" cried the colonel.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading But, rapid though it was, it descended in empty space.
EngageverbUS /enˈɡeɪdʒ/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading THE TWO DUELS "Engage, gentlemen!" cried the colonel.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
fencernoun
someone skilled at fencing
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Von Bülow's sword swept through the air with a flash like lightning.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading THE TWO DUELS "Engage, gentlemen!" cried the colonel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But, rapid though it was, it descended in empty space.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But, rapid though it was, it descended in empty space.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading Von Bülow's sword swept through the air with a flash like lightning.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Von Bülow's sword swept through the air with a flash like lightning.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
mockingadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːkɪŋ/
abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
perplexedadjectiveUS /pərˈplekst/
full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading But, rapid though it was, it descended in empty space.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading But, rapid though it was, it descended in empty space.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
having a supporting base
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
possessing sweep
From this reading Von Bülow's sword swept through the air with a flash like lightning.
in a swift manner
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading Von Bülow's sword swept through the air with a flash like lightning.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TWO DUELS "Engage, gentlemen!" cried the colonel.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But, rapid though it was, it descended in empty space.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Von Bülow's sword swept through the air with a flash like lightning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His adversary paused, perplexed, then swung round so as to face him, but did not immediately advance.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE TWO DUELS "Engage, gentlemen!" cried the colonel.
unguardedadjectiveUS /ənˈɡɑːrdɪd/
lacking protection or a guard
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
Von
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Von Bülow's sword swept through the air with a flash like lightning.
past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But, rapid though it was, it descended in empty space.
at the time that
From this reading Warned by the instinct of a true fencer, the blades had barely crossed when Benedict sprang swiftly aside and remained standing unguarded, his point lowered, and his mocking smile disclosing a fine set of teeth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Von Bülow's sword swept through the air with a flash like lightning.
