used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading So, no doubt, the hovering night-bird comes to a pause above its victim.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AYLMER CLIMBS--AND FALLS The door of the lazaret was pulled quietly back.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
AYLMER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AYLMER CLIMBS--AND FALLS The door of the lazaret was pulled quietly back.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading AYLMER CLIMBS--AND FALLS The door of the lazaret was pulled quietly back.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
blinkedverbUS /blɪŋkt/
past form of “blink” — briefly shut the eyes
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
CLIMBSnounUS /klaɪmz/
plural of “climb” — an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
From this reading AYLMER CLIMBS--AND FALLS The door of the lazaret was pulled quietly back.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading So, no doubt, the hovering night-bird comes to a pause above its victim.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading AYLMER CLIMBS--AND FALLS The door of the lazaret was pulled quietly back.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading So, no doubt, the hovering night-bird comes to a pause above its victim.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
extinctionnounUS /ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/
no longer active; extinguished
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
opinion or judgment
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading AYLMER CLIMBS--AND FALLS The door of the lazaret was pulled quietly back.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
flowedverbUS /floʊd/
past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
halonounUS /ˈheɪloʊ/
an indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
hoveringverbUS /ˈhʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading So, no doubt, the hovering night-bird comes to a pause above its victim.
impassiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpæsɪv/
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading So, no doubt, the hovering night-bird comes to a pause above its victim.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
lazaretnoun
hospital for persons with infectious diseases (especially leprosy)
From this reading AYLMER CLIMBS--AND FALLS The door of the lazaret was pulled quietly back.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
menaceverbUS /ˈmenəs/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
MillernounUS /ˈmɪlər/
United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
night-bird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, no doubt, the hovering night-bird comes to a pause above its victim.
not any; not one
From this reading So, no doubt, the hovering night-bird comes to a pause above its victim.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AYLMER CLIMBS--AND FALLS The door of the lazaret was pulled quietly back.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading So, no doubt, the hovering night-bird comes to a pause above its victim.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading AYLMER CLIMBS--AND FALLS The door of the lazaret was pulled quietly back.
with low volume
From this reading AYLMER CLIMBS--AND FALLS The door of the lazaret was pulled quietly back.
remarkablyadverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkəbli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
searchingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
silhouettedverbUS /ˌsɪləˈwetɪd/
past form of “silhouette” — project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So, no doubt, the hovering night-bird comes to a pause above its victim.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
splashverbUS /splæʃ/
cause (a liquid) to spatter about, especially with force
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AYLMER CLIMBS--AND FALLS The door of the lazaret was pulled quietly back.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
tingenounUS /tɪndʒ/
a slight but appreciable amount
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Coming from the full light into the darkness--for the lamp was already flickering to final extinction--he blinked.
unhumanadjective
divested of human qualities or attributes
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading So, no doubt, the hovering night-bird comes to a pause above its victim.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AYLMER CLIMBS--AND FALLS The door of the lazaret was pulled quietly back.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The opening showed Miller, silhouetted as in a frame, a splash of sunshine which flowed down into the outer cabin hanging in a golden halo, as it were, behind his remarkably solid looking head.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
but in spite of that
From this reading And there was something unhuman in his aspect as he stood there, searching the gloom with his impassive eyes, something not altogether stealthy, but yet something with a tinge of menace in it.
