used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As for Chief Ruku-Ru, over his face spread an ashen hue.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As for Chief Ruku-Ru, over his face spread an ashen hue.
ashenadjectiveUS /ˈæʃən/
anemic looking from illness or emotion
From this reading As for Chief Ruku-Ru, over his face spread an ashen hue.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
bodyguardnounUS /ˈbɑːdiɡɑːrd/
someone who escorts and protects a prominent person
From this reading So, too, did those tallest of the Kikuyus forming the chief’s own bodyguard.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Frank’s programme was not yet complete.
a person who is in charge
From this reading As for Chief Ruku-Ru, over his face spread an ashen hue.
chief'snounUS /tʃiːfs/
possessive form of “chief” — a person who is in charge
From this reading So, too, did those tallest of the Kikuyus forming the chief’s own bodyguard.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading The warriors forming the inner ring of the circle shook with terror.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading But Frank’s programme was not yet complete.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading So, too, did those tallest of the Kikuyus forming the chief’s own bodyguard.
encirclingadjectiveUS /enˈsɜːrkəlɪŋ/
being all around the edges; enclosing
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading As for Chief Ruku-Ru, over his face spread an ashen hue.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As for Chief Ruku-Ru, over his face spread an ashen hue.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading The warriors forming the inner ring of the circle shook with terror.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
Frank'snounUS /fræŋks/
possessive form of “frank” — a member of the ancient Germanic peoples who spread from the Rhine into the Roman Empire in the 4th century
From this reading But Frank’s programme was not yet complete.
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 GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As for Chief Ruku-Ru, over his face spread an ashen hue.
huenounUS /hjuː/
the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading As for Chief Ruku-Ru, over his face spread an ashen hue.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
located inward
From this reading The warriors forming the inner ring of the circle shook with terror.
a small worthless amount
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
Kikuyu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
Kikuyus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, too, did those tallest of the Kikuyus forming the chief’s own bodyguard.
murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Frank’s programme was not yet complete.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As for Chief Ruku-Ru, over his face spread an ashen hue.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading So, too, did those tallest of the Kikuyus forming the chief’s own bodyguard.
programmenounUS /ˈproʊɡræm/
an announcement of the events that will occur as part of a theatrical or sporting event
From this reading But Frank’s programme was not yet complete.
ranksnounUS /ræŋks/
plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading The warriors forming the inner ring of the circle shook with terror.
Ruku-Ru
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Chief Ruku-Ru, over his face spread an ashen hue.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading The warriors forming the inner ring of the circle shook with terror.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So, too, did those tallest of the Kikuyus forming the chief’s own bodyguard.
express in speech
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading As for Chief Ruku-Ru, over his face spread an ashen hue.
tallestadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːlɪst/
superlative of “tall” — great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading So, too, did those tallest of the Kikuyus forming the chief’s own bodyguard.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading The warriors forming the inner ring of the circle shook with terror.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading So, too, did those tallest of the Kikuyus forming the chief’s own bodyguard.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading So, too, did those tallest of the Kikuyus forming the chief’s own bodyguard.
tribesmennounUS /ˈtraɪbzmɪn/
plural of “tribesman” — someone who lives in a tribe
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
warriorsnounUS /ˈwɔːriərz/
plural of “warrior” — someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading The warriors forming the inner ring of the circle shook with terror.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE GODS SPEAK Through the ranks of the Kikuyu tribesmen behind and encircling them, Jack and Frank could hear a murmur of fear that grew in volume until the air was filled with cries of fright.
but in spite of that
From this reading But Frank’s programme was not yet complete.
